Senators Introduce Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act

A group of Democratic Senators has introduced the Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act to enhance oversight, accountability, and transparency related to the federal government’s COVID-19 response. The legislation has gained the support of 57 organizations, 8 Senate original co-sponsors and 18 House co-sponsors.

The legislation takes steps to prohibit conflicts of interest in selecting or hiring contractors and distributing relief grants and loans. The legislation expands the scope of the CARES Act conflict of interest prohibitions on bailout assistance going to certain companies affiliated with senior government officials to include small business aid and additional senior officials.

The legislation also seeks to protect Inspectors General by requiring their termination only for “good cause and requires the President to inform Congress when any IG, including an acting IG, is removed from their post.” The legislation also addresses IG vacancies by requiring the position to be automatically filled by the first assistant to the last IG and providing acting IGs with civil service protections. Under the bill, the president's decision to fire or otherwise discipline an IG or acting IG would trigger an automatic, public review by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Integrity.

The bill seeks to strengthen congressional oversight over the CARES Act by granting the Congressional Oversight Commission subpoena authority and expanding its jurisdiction to include all COVID-19 relief funding.

The bill establishes whistleblower protections for private sector workers (including essential workers) and government contractors who may witness waste, fraud, or abuse or be victims of misconduct related to coronavirus relief.

The bill also requires lobbyists to make monthly disclosures regarding all lobbying related to COVID-19 relief spending or lending. The bill also codifies the Obama Administration's restrictions on Recovery Act lobbying activity, which would restrict all COVID-19 relief lobbying activity to public, written submissions and prohibit closed door meetings and phone calls between government officials and companies seeking relief.

The bill includes new transparency and disclosure requirements for all recipients of bailout funds.

In a coalition letter of support for the bill, 57 groups signed on to a statement saying, “The CORE Act offers commonsense oversight and transparency measures solely dedicated to ensuring that our taxpayer dollars are being awarded to those in need and spent according to the intent of the law. Experience has taught us that corruption and waste can diminish the impact and cost-effectiveness of emergency spending programs by the government. Experience has also taught us that oversight measures like those contained in the CORE Act can prevent that corruption and waste."