The director of national intelligence would be required to report on efforts by foreign governments, individuals or entities to bribe President Trump, the Trump family or Trump Administration officials under an amendment to the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduced by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) on Friday.
“With their shameful, ongoing efforts to shut down the Russia investigation, House Republicans have all but abandoned their responsibility to defend the constitution,” Gomez said. “We must protect our democratic institutions from continued attacks again by foreign entities. This amendment will expose attempts by foreign actors to gain influence over the president, his family or his administration. We must do everything in our power as members of Congress to ensure that President Trump’s foreign entanglements can never again compromise the national security of the United States.”
Gomez also introduced an NDAA amendment that expresses “strong opposition” to any potential drawdown of U.S. troops in the Korean Peninsula until North Korea removes weapons from the demilitarized zone, achieves complete and verifiable denuclearization, and ceases hostilities toward South Korea.
“As a representative of the country’s largest Korean American community, the concerns and feedback of my constituents have always helped guide my legislative efforts in addressing the need for peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Gomez said. “Now, at this critical point, it is my hope that this resolution will ensure that Congress can both reaffirm its commitment to South Korea — one of our most vital foreign allies — while also heightening the propensity for stability and security in the region.”
Gomez also introduced an amendment that would increase the minimum wage standard for veterans enrolled in the GI Bill’s Federal Work Study program. A work-study allowance granted under the program would be expanded to match local government minimum wages when they’re higher than state or federal minimum wages.
“While our country may never be able to truly repay the debt we collectively owe to our men and women serving in uniform, at the very least, we must continue to ensure that our veterans are given the resources they need and deserve as they transition back to civilian life after they return from the battle,” Gomez said. “This amendment will provide student veterans across the nation the opportunity to earn an education while putting more money in their pockets to meet their responsibilities and the needs of their families.”
Another amendment introduced by Gomez would establish new protections for those who enroll in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Military Ascension Vital to National Interest program, which recruits non-resident immigrants that have vital skills deemed vital by the military. Those enrolled could not be removed, detained or discharged when legal status lapses to allow for a period of security clearance vetting.
“Anyone who puts their life on the line to serve our nation and uphold our freedoms deserves to be treated with dignity and respect — regardless of their immigration status,” Gomez said. “The notion that patriotic men and women can be detained or denied the opportunity to serve this country because of bureaucratic fatigue and red tape is simply unacceptable. My amendments will give these aspiring Americans the rights and protections they so richly deserve.”