Close OMAR loophole

We would like to think that those  who run for public office are working in the public’s interest, and not their own. Of course, we know better. That is why Congress should adopt a new law to crack down on those who work to line their own pockets and that of their family. It is called the “OMAR Act” which stands for Oversight for Members and Relatives Act. The bill, introduced by Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany and Mike Gallagher, would put an end to the practice of federal candidates for public office tapping their campaign accounts to enrich their spouses. I didn’t know this was a thing. But not only is it happening, apparently it is perfectly legal. A loophole allows those running for Congress to funnel money through their spouses by paying them with campaign money. Members of both political parties are guilty. Lawmakers pocket the campaign cash by “hiring” their spouse and then laundering the money as a campaign-related expense. In Minnesota, for example, an incumbent member of Congress took advantage of this loophole and paid nearly $2.8 million to her husband who she hired as a ”consultant.” This bill would make that illegal. Public officials should always act in the best interests of their constituents, not their families, and this bill would finally enforce that.