The Family Integrity to Reform Elections (FIRE) Act - which was introduced back on 13 June by Republican Pat Fallon (R-TEXAS) would prohibit any candidate running for federal office from paying immediate family members for any campaign services. "Maxine Waters paid $1.1 million to her daughter from campaign funds," Fallow told the post in a statement. "Oman Omar, $2.9 million to her husband from campaign funds. James Clyburn, over $200,000 to multiply family members from his campaign." Americans are sick of polititions abusing their voters' hard-earned money. This modern day spoils system must end. My bill shines light on shady campaign finance practices while punishing those who take advantage of these funds to enrich their families." At present, it is legal for legislators to employ their family members to work on campaigns. However, Federal Election Commission regulations bar paying salaries to relatives of candidates unles they "provide bona fide services to the services to the campaign" and that the salary represents "fair market value for the services provided." The legislation would expand the ban to include any political committee "Established, maintained or controlled by a candidate or person holding federal office " barring any sitting legislator from paying a family member for working on his or her campaign. The Fallon Bill-would additionally require campaigns to disclose any payments they make to members of a candidate's immediate family. Relatives who are subject to the proposed ban would include spouses, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and Domestic Partners, along with the spouses of campaign committee members. Should the bill become law, any candidate who is in violation of the ban would face a $100,000 fine for each violation or double the amount paid to family members-whichever is greater-and/or up to two years in prison. The legislation is facing a strong climb in Congress as both Democrat and Republican candidates are known for hiring immediate family members and paying them for their service. "The legislation will shine a light on campaign finance and hold candidates for public office to a higher standard on par with the public trust they wield. Campaign funds should never be used to enrich a candidate or their family. Voters deserve to feel confident that their public officials are running to represent them, not line their own pockets," Garbarino told The Post in a statement.
