A coalition of US lawmakers, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, has put forth a new ethics reform bill aimed at Special Government Employees (SGEs) such as Elon Musk and White House crypto advisor David Sacks. The proposal, known as the Special Government Employee Ethics Enforcement and Reform (SEER) Act, aims to impose stricter transparency and accountability standards on individuals serving in advisory roles while also maintaining ties to the private sector.
SGEs are part-time federal workers who are permitted to serve up to 130 days a year. Unlike full-time officials, they are not always required to disclose their financial interests unless they exceed a certain pay grade. This has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly in cases involving high-profile figures like Elon Musk, who hold advisory roles while also leading private companies with government contracts.
Senator Warren argues that individuals like Musk, who benefit from significant government contracts, should not be allowed to operate in ethical gray areas. She believes that Musk earns millions from government deals but avoids the disclosure requirements that senior officials are expected to adhere to.
The SEER Act has garnered support from various advocacy and watchdog groups, including Public Citizen, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), State Democracy Defenders, Campaign Legal Center, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
Key provisions of the SEER Act include expanding existing ethics rules to cover SGEs starting from their 61st day in office. After serving 130 days, SGEs would be prohibited from receiving compensation related to their non-government roles. The bill also introduces stricter conflict-of-interest rules, preventing SGEs who lead companies with federal contracts or monopolistic power from engaging with agencies that regulate or contract with those companies.
Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Office of Government Ethics approve all conflict-of-interest waivers for SGEs to enhance public oversight. It also requires public access to these waivers and financial disclosures. The Office of Personnel Management would also be tasked with creating a public database listing all SGEs, including the number of days served and the reason for their classification.
If passed, the SEER Act would elevate the ethical standards for part-time government advisors and diminish the influence of corporate leaders in shaping federal policy behind closed doors. This bill represents a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government advisory roles.