Legis Daily

MEME Act

USA119th CongressHR-1712| House 
| Updated: 2/27/2025
Sam T. Liccardo

Sam T. Liccardo

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (33)
John Garamendi (Democratic)Kelly Morrison (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Scott H. Peters (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Jake Auchincloss (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Sylvester Turner (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act," or MEME Act , aims to prevent federal elected officials and certain high-ranking government personnel from leveraging their public positions for personal financial enrichment. It establishes a prohibition on the issuance, sponsorship, or promotion of specific financial instruments, termed "covered assets," for pecuniary gain. These covered assets encompass a broad range, including traditional securities and commodities , as well as modern digital assets like cryptocurrencies, meme coins, tokens, and non-fungible tokens, along with their derivatives. The prohibition applies to "covered individuals," such as the President, Vice President, public officials, and their spouses or dependent children, as well as "adjacent individuals" like senior executive service employees and high-ranking military officers, and their families. This restriction is active during their term of service, for 180 days prior to commencing service, and for 180 days after termination of service. Violations can lead to substantial civil penalties up to $250,000, mandatory disgorgement of profits to the U.S. Treasury, and potential criminal charges , including imprisonment for up to five years for significant losses or benefits. Furthermore, the bill creates a private right of action , allowing harmed investors or competitors to seek equitable or monetary relief.
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Timeline
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 27, 2025
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H893)
May 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1620
Introduced in Senate
  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • February 27, 2025
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H893)


  • May 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1620
    Introduced in Senate

Government Operations and Politics

Business ethicsCivil actions and liabilityCommodities marketsFamily relationshipsFederal officialsFinancial services and investmentsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsSecurities

MEME Act

USA119th CongressHR-1712| House 
| Updated: 2/27/2025
The "Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act," or MEME Act , aims to prevent federal elected officials and certain high-ranking government personnel from leveraging their public positions for personal financial enrichment. It establishes a prohibition on the issuance, sponsorship, or promotion of specific financial instruments, termed "covered assets," for pecuniary gain. These covered assets encompass a broad range, including traditional securities and commodities , as well as modern digital assets like cryptocurrencies, meme coins, tokens, and non-fungible tokens, along with their derivatives. The prohibition applies to "covered individuals," such as the President, Vice President, public officials, and their spouses or dependent children, as well as "adjacent individuals" like senior executive service employees and high-ranking military officers, and their families. This restriction is active during their term of service, for 180 days prior to commencing service, and for 180 days after termination of service. Violations can lead to substantial civil penalties up to $250,000, mandatory disgorgement of profits to the U.S. Treasury, and potential criminal charges , including imprisonment for up to five years for significant losses or benefits. Furthermore, the bill creates a private right of action , allowing harmed investors or competitors to seek equitable or monetary relief.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 27, 2025
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H893)
May 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1620
Introduced in Senate
  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • February 27, 2025
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H893)


  • May 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1620
    Introduced in Senate
Sam T. Liccardo

Sam T. Liccardo

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (33)
John Garamendi (Democratic)Kelly Morrison (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Scott H. Peters (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Jake Auchincloss (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Sylvester Turner (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Business ethicsCivil actions and liabilityCommodities marketsFamily relationshipsFederal officialsFinancial services and investmentsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsSecurities