Rep. Ro Khanna Introduces Drain the Swamp Act

Congressman Ro Khanna from California has put forward the Drain the Swamp Act aimed at curbing influence peddling in Washington. The legislation seeks to ban White House officials from accepting lobbyist gifts or transitioning into lobbying roles after their service. Khanna pitches it as a vital step to restore trust in government and tackle corruption head-on.

The bill targets a long-standing revolving door between government and corporate lobbying that critics say undermines public interest. Khanna a Democrat argues that officials should serve taxpayers not special interests echoing a populist sentiment shared across party lines. His proposal aligns with broader calls for reform as distrust in institutions grows.

Under the act White House staff would face strict limits on gifts from registered lobbyists a practice currently allowed with loose oversight. It also imposes a lifetime ban on those officials becoming lobbyists closing a loophole exploited by many in past administrations. Khanna cites data showing hundreds transition yearly enriching themselves off insider connections.

The phrase “drain the swamp” was popularized by President Trump though his administration faced accusations of not fully delivering on it. Khanna’s move reclaims the slogan with concrete policy aiming to outdo prior efforts. He’s garnered support from progressives and some conservatives who favor cleaning up Washington’s ethical mess.

Passage won’t be easy as lobbying firms wield immense power and employ thousands in D.C. Opponents argue the ban could deter talent from public service though Khanna counters that ethical governance outweighs such concerns. The bill needs bipartisan backing to clear a divided Congress adding to its challenge.

Trump’s team has not weighed in though the act could complicate plans for loyalists eyeing post-White House gigs. Some speculate it’s a jab at both parties’ elites with Khanna positioning himself as an outsider reformer. His district’s tech-heavy base may cheer the move as a strike against cronyism.

Recent scandals—like officials caught in gift-for-favors schemes—bolster Khanna’s case for urgency. Public polling shows strong backing for tighter ethics rules with many fed up over perceived corruption. The act taps into that frustration offering a tangible fix rather than just rhetoric.

If enacted the Drain the Swamp Act could reshape how power operates in the capital. Khanna vows to push it through framing it as a legacy-defining fight for accountability. Whether it gains traction or stalls will test Congress’s appetite for self-policing in an era of polarized politics.