Senator Warren Proposes SEER Act to Tighten Ethics Rules for Special Government Employees

Senator Elizabeth Warren has spearheaded a new ethics reform bill aimed at tightening regulations for Special Government Employees (SGEs), including high-profile figures like Elon Musk and White House crypto advisor David Sacks. The proposal, known as the Special Government Employee Ethics Enforcement and Reform (SEER) Act, seeks to enhance transparency and accountability for individuals who serve in advisory roles while maintaining ties to the private sector.

SGEs are part-time federal workers who can serve up to 130 days a year. Unlike full-time officials, they are not always required to disclose their financial interests unless they surpass a specific pay grade. This structure has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly when high-profile individuals like Musk, who holds leadership roles in private companies with federal contracts, are involved.

Senator Warren has been vocal about the need for stricter ethics rules, arguing that individuals who benefit from major government deals should not be allowed to operate in such ethical gray zones. She highlighted that Musk earns millions from government contracts yet avoids the disclosure requirements expected of senior officials.

The SEER Act has garnered support from a wide range of 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).

The key provisions of the SEER Act include expanding existing ethics rules to cover SGEs starting from their 61st day in office. After 130 days, SGEs would be prohibited from receiving outside compensation related to their non-government roles. The bill also introduces stricter conflict-of-interest rules, barring SGEs who lead companies with federal contracts or monopolistic power from engaging with agencies that regulate or contract with those companies.

Additionally, the legislation requires the Office of Government Ethics to approve all conflict-of-interest waivers for SGEs, increasing public oversight. It also mandates public access to these waivers and financial disclosures. The Office of Personnel Management would create a public database listing all SGEs, including the number of days served and the reason for their classification.

If passed, the SEER Act would significantly raise the ethical standards for part-time government advisors, limiting the influence of corporate leaders in shaping federal policy behind closed doors. This move is seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in government advisory roles, ensuring that those who benefit from government contracts are held to the same ethical standards as full-time officials.