House Dem launches effort to ban gov funds from going to Trump properties

A House Democrat wants to ensure that funds in a spending package slated for floor consideration next week don’t go toward benefiting any of President Trump’s properties.

The House is scheduled to consider a national security-themed spending package that includes money for the departments of Defense, Energy and Veterans Affairs, as well as legislative branch operations like the Capitol Police.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) has submitted amendments ahead of floor consideration next week that aims to ensure that no federal funds can be used to pay for lodging expenses at any hotel or property in which the president has a financial interest.

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In the case of the Pentagon, the secretary of Defense would be authorized to waive the ban on an individual basis if it was deemed necessary for national security.

“This amendment is necessary due to the President’s unprecedented failure to divest from his business, and the ongoing entanglement between the Trump Organization and the White House. Donald Trump should not be allowed to line his or his family’s pockets with taxpayer dollars,” Beyer said in an emailed statement on Friday.

The Washington Post reported last week that the State Department spent more than $15,000 to book 19 rooms at the Trump hotel in Vancouver when members of the Trump family attended its grand opening in February.

President Trump’s two adult sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, as well as his younger daughter Tiffany, all attended the opening with their security details. Trump’s sons have been running the Trump Organization since their father entered office in January.

Trump has spent many weekends since taking office at his properties in Florida and New Jersey. He has also gone to his golf club in northern Virginia as well as to his hotel blocks from the White House on a number of occasions.

Walter Shaub, who resigned as head of the Office of Government Ethics earlier this month, told CBS News that “there is an appearance that the businesses are profiting from his occupying the presidency. And appearance matters as much as reality.”

Beyer’s amendments face a long shot in securing votes on the House floor next week.

Hundreds of amendments are expected to be filed in the coming days by members of both parties. House GOP leaders will then select which ones can get debate and votes on the floor.

GOP leaders are unlikely to green-light amendments like Beyer’s that would force Republicans to take an uncomfortable vote relating to Trump.