The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 27, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The framers of the U.S. Constitution included the Foreign Emoluments Clause because they feared the influence, corruption and bribery they witnessed in Europe’s monarchies.  Why should Americans care about it?

The Foreign Emoluments Clause, in Article 1, Section 9, reads in part: “And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”   

Fordham Law Professor Zephyr Teachout writes that James Madison mentions “corruption” 54 times in his Constitutional Convention notes, and that two dozen sections of the Constitution were designed to prevent it.

Fast forward to 2021, when after four years, 20 foreign governments spent an estimated $13.6 Million dollars at President Donald Trump’s properties, according to the House Ethics committee and good government groups.

Prior to Trump, Presidents put businesses and investments into a “blind trust”, shielding the President from information which could influence decisions not in the best interest of the country.  In 2017, Trump turned his assets to his two sons in a trust document, but continued to receive updates and income, and didn’t disclose the holding of over 100 trademarks in China and Russia until 2023.  

We have more on the Foreign Emoluments Clause at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, and we’ll discuss how it could influence policy decisions in a future report. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Congressional Research Service – The Emoluments Clauses of the U.S. Constitution
National Constitution Center – The Foreign Emoluments Clause: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8
National Constitution Center – Prof. Zephyr Teachout – The Foreign Emoluments Clause
American Constitution Society – Profiting off the Presidency: Trump’s Violations of the Emoluments Clauses
U.S. Supreme Court – BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE OF FORMER FEDERAL ETHICS OFFICIALS SUPPORTING
RESPONDENT
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – Trump likely benefited from $13.6 million in payments from foreign governments during his presidency
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – (2019)  Tracking President Trump’s unprecedented conflicts of interest
Business Insider – Trump waited until after he left office to disclose trademarks he owns in China and Russia

Groups Taking Action:

C.R.E.W., Public Citizen, Common Cause

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EmolumentsClause #ForeignInfluence #Corruption #DonaldTrump

The post The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause was Intended to Stop Bribery and Corruption.  Recently, Not So Much. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 8, 2023

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) 

Today’s Links now below the script

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the “Democracy for the People Act” Friday, a huge bill expanding voter registration and mail-in voting options, creating a small-donor campaign funding voucher system, and enhancing penalties for intimidation or harassment of voters or election officials.

Minnesota joins New Mexico in passing omnibus bills to strengthen democracy protections in 2023.   Minnesota’s bill establishes an automatic voter registration system, registering voters at the state departments of Public Safety and Human Services, unless they opt out.   This includes the PRE-registration of 16 and 17 year olds, though they can’t vote until age 18.  The bill is expected to add 450,000 voters to the rolls each year in a state which has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country.

The Democracy for the People Act also creates a permanent absentee vote by mail list, particularly helpful for seniors and the disabled, and makes voting materials more available in other languages.    

Steps were also taken to rein in big money influence in elections by establishing a new “Democracy Dollars” campaign funding system, where qualifying candidates need to reach out to voters to receive the two $25 small-donor certificates given to each registered voter.  Its aim is to keep candidates responsive to voters, not special interest campaign donors.

We have the text to the bill, analysis articles, and lots more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Minnesota Legislature – Final Text of the “Democracy for the People Act”
Democracy Docket – Minnesota Governor Enacts the Democracy for the People Act
Duluth News Tribune – Minnesota enacts automatic voter registration, penalties for election misinformation
Minnesota Senate Media Services – Governor Walz Signs Voting Accessibility Bill into Law

Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause MN, League of Women Voters MN, Represent.Us, People for the American Way, Free Speech for People,  We Choose Us MN

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews

The post Minnesota Governor Signs “Democracy for the People Act” Enhancing Voting Access and Protections appeared first on American Democracy Minute.