Ravi Bhalla Announces His Support for the No Foreign Emoluments Without Congressional Consent Act

Calls on Rob Menendez Jr to Co-Sponsor it and Start Putting National Security Ahead of his Father’s Interests

Ravi Bhalla today announced that he will actively back and co-sponsor the No Foriegn Emoluments without Congressional Consent Act, if elected to Congress. Introduced by Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), this proposed law “would enforce the Constitution’s explicit language banning foreign emoluments by prohibiting the President, Vice President, Cabinet officials, Members of Congress, and other senior federal officials from accepting payments from foreign governments—including through business transactions—without first obtaining the consent of Congress,” as spelled out in the bill description. “The President and other officials would be prohibited from accepting foreign payments without Congressional approval during the entire time they are in office and for two years after leaving office.”

The legislation puts teeth in the no foreign emoluments clause by establishing criminal and civil penalties for violations.  The persistent flouting of it by President Trump and the indictments of Senator Bob Menendez(D-NJ) and US Representative Henry Cuellar(D-TX) for taking bribes to do the bidding of foreign governments highlight the importance of its passage.

“As our founders recognized, we cannot allow foreign governments to influence federal policy by direct, illegal payments to elected and appointed officials   said Ravi Bhalla.  “The No Foreign Emoluments without Congressional Consent Act provides a strong deterrent for any official who is tempted to cash in. I strongly support it and will co-sponsor it as a member of Congress.”

Ravi Bhalla called on Representative Rob Menendez Jr to declare his public support for and co-sponsor this vital national security measure. “I call on Rob Menendez Jr to publicly support the No Emoluments without Congressional Consent Act and sign on as a co-sponsor,” said Bhalla. “It’s time for Rob Menendez Jr to put national security ahead of his father, Senator Bob Menendez’s interests.”

Bhalla noted that he had previously called on Rob Menendez Jr to declare his public support for the Guard Act, another vital measure designed to safeguard our national security from corruption. He refused. The Guard Act prohibits federal officeholders and candidates who are charged with specified crimes involving putting our national security in jeopardy or obstructing official proceedings from receiving classified information.

Ravi Bhalla is challenging Rob Menendez Jr. in the Democratic Primary for New Jersey’s 8th district Congressional seat.

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