The Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act establishes a new, independent Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) within the executive branch, aiming to significantly bolster federal efforts against corruption, conflicts of interest, and abuses of power. This legislation seeks to restore public trust and ensure that federal anti-corruption laws are rigorously enforced, preventing any administration from undermining oversight mechanisms. The bill's core purpose is to consolidate and strengthen existing federal functions related to ethics, campaign finance, and whistleblower protection. The ACB will be composed of seven members, appointed by the President with Senate consent, serving single six-year terms. To ensure impartiality, the Bureau's membership must maintain a political balance, with no more than three members from the same political party and at least one independent member. A unique provision allows a division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to appoint temporary members if the President fails to make timely nominations, further safeguarding the Bureau's operational capacity and independence. A Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel will also recommend qualified individuals for appointment, and the President must provide written explanations if nominating outside these recommendations. A major provision of the bill involves the transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), and the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to the newly formed ACB. This consolidation grants the ACB exclusive civil enforcement jurisdiction over a wide array of laws, including campaign finance, government ethics, financial disclosure, and whistleblower protection statutes. The Bureau is empowered to initiate civil actions, issue advisory opinions, promulgate regulations, conduct investigations, impose civil penalties, and report criminal violations. The Act introduces a significant private right of action , allowing individuals and state attorneys general to bring civil lawsuits against " covered persons " who corruptly use their office for personal enrichment exceeding $50,000. "Covered persons" include the President, Vice President, high-level officials, their families, and government contractors. Successful plaintiffs can be awarded 15 to 30 percent of the recovered proceeds, which may include civil penalties, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, and treble damages. Courts are also authorized to impose constructive trusts or rescind contracts obtained through corrupt means. To finance its operations, the bill establishes a " Freedom From Influence Fund " in the U.S. Treasury, which will be sustained by assessments from fines and penalties related to corporate malfeasance and violations of laws enforced by the Bureau. The legislation also includes measures to prevent executive branch influence over the ACB's activities, making it unlawful for high-ranking officials to interfere based on political animus. Furthermore, aggrieved parties can petition the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia if the Bureau dismisses a complaint or fails to act, ensuring a layer of external accountability for the ACB itself.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4372-4385)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4372-4385; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4371-4372)
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4372-4385)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4372-4385; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4371-4372)
Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act
USA119th CongressS-5183| Senate
| Updated: 7/30/2026
The Anti-Corruption Bureau Creation Act establishes a new, independent Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) within the executive branch, aiming to significantly bolster federal efforts against corruption, conflicts of interest, and abuses of power. This legislation seeks to restore public trust and ensure that federal anti-corruption laws are rigorously enforced, preventing any administration from undermining oversight mechanisms. The bill's core purpose is to consolidate and strengthen existing federal functions related to ethics, campaign finance, and whistleblower protection. The ACB will be composed of seven members, appointed by the President with Senate consent, serving single six-year terms. To ensure impartiality, the Bureau's membership must maintain a political balance, with no more than three members from the same political party and at least one independent member. A unique provision allows a division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to appoint temporary members if the President fails to make timely nominations, further safeguarding the Bureau's operational capacity and independence. A Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel will also recommend qualified individuals for appointment, and the President must provide written explanations if nominating outside these recommendations. A major provision of the bill involves the transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, and obligations from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), and the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to the newly formed ACB. This consolidation grants the ACB exclusive civil enforcement jurisdiction over a wide array of laws, including campaign finance, government ethics, financial disclosure, and whistleblower protection statutes. The Bureau is empowered to initiate civil actions, issue advisory opinions, promulgate regulations, conduct investigations, impose civil penalties, and report criminal violations. The Act introduces a significant private right of action , allowing individuals and state attorneys general to bring civil lawsuits against " covered persons " who corruptly use their office for personal enrichment exceeding $50,000. "Covered persons" include the President, Vice President, high-level officials, their families, and government contractors. Successful plaintiffs can be awarded 15 to 30 percent of the recovered proceeds, which may include civil penalties, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, and treble damages. Courts are also authorized to impose constructive trusts or rescind contracts obtained through corrupt means. To finance its operations, the bill establishes a " Freedom From Influence Fund " in the U.S. Treasury, which will be sustained by assessments from fines and penalties related to corporate malfeasance and violations of laws enforced by the Bureau. The legislation also includes measures to prevent executive branch influence over the ACB's activities, making it unlawful for high-ranking officials to interfere based on political animus. Furthermore, aggrieved parties can petition the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia if the Bureau dismisses a complaint or fails to act, ensuring a layer of external accountability for the ACB itself.