U.S. Senator Pushes New Bill to Curb Corporate Influence in Government Advisory Roles

Concerns over unchecked influence in Washington have prompted a new legislative push to tighten ethics rules for part-time federal advisors with ties to powerful corporations.

Spearheaded by Senator Elizabeth Warren, the proposal—dubbed the SEER Act—seeks to close what critics call a glaring loophole in federal oversight.

At the heart of the issue are Special Government Employees (SGEs), individuals who can advise the federal government for limited periods each year—up to 130 days—without undergoing the same scrutiny as full-time officials. While intended to attract outside expertise, the system has drawn criticism for enabling figures like Elon Musk and crypto advisor David Sacks to shape public policy while leading private companies that stand to benefit from government contracts.

Under current rules, many SGEs avoid detailed financial disclosures unless they cross certain pay thresholds. The SEER Act would impose tighter regulations beginning on their 61st day of service, ultimately barring them from collecting outside income tied to their corporate roles once they reach the 130-day mark.

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The legislation would also prevent SGEs from interacting with federal agencies that regulate or fund their companies. All waivers for potential conflicts of interest would need approval from the Office of Government Ethics and be made publicly available. A new federal database would track every SGE, detailing their time in service and the nature of their advisory work.

The bill has garnered backing from a wide range of ethics watchdogs, including CREW, POGO, and Public Citizen, who argue that increased transparency is long overdue. If enacted, the SEER Act would introduce one of the most significant overhauls in part-time government advisory ethics in years, curbing behind-the-scenes influence from business moguls while boosting public accountability.

Alexander Stefanov