[House Report 115-270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
115th Congress } { REPORT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 115-270
======================================================================
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO TRANSMIT
CERTAIN DOCUMENTS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RELATING TO
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES RELATING TO
BUSINESSES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
_______
July 28, 2017.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
_______
Mr. McCaul, from the Committee on Homeland Security, submitted the
following
ADVERSE REPORT
together with
DISSENTING VIEWS
[To accompany H. Res. 447]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred
the resolution (H. Res. 447) directing the Secretary of
Homeland Security to transmit certain documents to the House of
Representatives relating to Department of Homeland Security
policies and activities relating to businesses owned or
controlled by President Donald J. Trump, having considered the
same, report unfavorably thereon without amendment and
recommend that the resolution not be agreed to.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................
Background and Need for Legislation..............................
Hearings.........................................................
Committee Consideration..........................................
Committee Votes..................................................
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
Congressional Budget Office Estimate.............................
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............
Duplicative Federal Programs.....................................
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits.........................................................
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................
Preemption Clarification.........................................
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings..............................
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............
Dissenting Views.................................................
Purpose and Summary
On July 14, 2017, Representative Mrs. Watson Coleman
introduced H. Res. 447, a non-binding resolution of inquiry
requesting that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide
documents relating to the businesses owned or controlled by the
President of the United States.
The Resolution further requests the documentation of
expenses related to the protection of Donald J. Trump, Melania
Trump, Donald J. Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Eric
Trump, or any other member of the Trump family or Trump
Organization while on international travel that has not been
documented by the Secretary as in furtherance of the United
States Government. Documentation of the costs to the Department
associated with the following trips: Eric Trump's trip to
Uruguay in January 2017; Eric Trump's trip to the Dominican
Republic in February 2017; Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump's
trip to the United Arab Emirates in February 2017; Donald
Trump, Jr.'s and Eric Trump's trip to Canada in February 2017;
and Eric Trump's trip to the United Kingdom and the Republic of
Ireland in April 2017.
Background and Need for Legislation
A resolution of inquiry is a House resolution directing the
President or the head of an executive department to provide to
the House specific information in the possession of the
Administration.
Clause 7 of House Rule XIII provides that, if properly
drafted, a resolution of inquiry is provided special
parliamentary status allowing the Committee to which the
measure was referred to be discharged if the Committee has not
reported the measure back to the House within 14 legislative
days after its introduction.
The Committee notes that the consideration of this
resolution of inquiry is to have the Committee comply with Rule
XIII, it does not affect the Committee's obligation or
commitment to investigate and require documentation from the
Administration on issues within the Committee's jurisdictional
authorities.
The Committee believes H. Res. 447 is an unfortunate
departure from the important bipartisan security work the
Committee undertakes every day. Aside from that, this
Resolution of Inquiry is seeking an unnecessary and duplicative
document production from the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). DHS Secretary John Kelly testified before the Committee
in June that he would respond to information requests from
Members of Congress, regardless of party. In that vein, the
minority has made a very similar request for cost information
to the Secret Service--a request that the Service is processing
and is not, by any means, ignoring. Additionally, the Director
of the Secret Service testified before the Subcommittee on
Transportation and Protective Service in June and Members had
every opportunity to question him on these matters. The
Committee hopes we can return to building on our significant
bipartisan achievements and focus on the priorities critical to
our homeland security.
The Committee will investigate any credible allegation of
misconduct in the Executive Branch to the extent that such
allegations fall within the Committee's jurisdiction.
Hearings
No hearings were held on H. Res. 447 in the 115th Congress.
Committee Consideration
The Committee met on July 26, 2017, to consider H. Res.
447, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
an unfavorable recommendation, without amendment by a recorded
vote of 18 yeas and 11 nays (Roll Call Vote No. 15).
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H. Res. 447
on July 26, 2017, and took the following votes:
ROLL CALL NO. 15
H. Res. 447
On ordering H. Res. 447 to be reported to the House of Representatives with an unfavorable recommendation:
Agreed to: 18 yeas and 11 nays.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Yea Nay Representative Yea Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. McCaul, Chair............................ X Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ranking X
Member.
Mr. Smith of Texas........................... X Ms. Jackson Lee...................... X
Mr. King of New York......................... X Mr. Langevin......................... X
Mr. Rogers of Alabama........................ X Mr. Richmond.........................
Mr. Duncan of South Carolina................. X Mr. Keating.......................... X
Mr. Barletta................................. X Mr. Payne............................ X
Mr. Perry.................................... X Mr. Vela............................. X
Mr. Katko.................................... X Mrs. Watson Coleman.................. X
Mr. Hurd..................................... X Miss Rice of New York................ X
Ms. McSally.................................. X Mr. Correa........................... X
Mr. Ratcliffe................................ X Mrs. Demings......................... X
Mr. Donovan.................................. X Ms. Barragan......................... X
Mr. Gallagher................................ X
Mr. Higgins of Louisiana..................... X
Mr. Rutherford............................... X
Mr. Garrett.................................. X
Mr. Fitzpatrick.............................. X
Mr. Estes.................................... X
-------------
Vote Total: 18 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight
hearings and made findings that are reflected in this report.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.
Res. 447, would result in no new or increased budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, a cost estimate provided by the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Committee
estimates that this non-binding resolution would not result in
any significant costs.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, H. Res. 447 requests that the
Secretary of Homeland Security transmit any document, record,
memo, correspondence, or other communication of the Department
of Homeland Security to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Duplicative Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c) of Rule XIII, the Committee finds
that H. Res. 447 does not contain any provision that
establishes or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative
of another Federal program.
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits
In compliance with Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, this resolution, as reported, contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the Rule
XXI.
Federal Mandates Statement
An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Committee
believes that no Federal mandates are included in this
resolution.
Preemption Clarification
In compliance with section 423 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, requiring the report of any Committee on a bill or
joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which
the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt State,
local, or Tribal law, the Committee finds that H. Res. 447 does
not preempt any State, local, or Tribal law.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The Committee estimates that H. Res. 447 would require no
directed rule makings.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
This resolution, if adopted, would require the Secretary of
Homeland Security provide to the House of Representatives
copies of any document, record, memo, correspondence, or other
communication or any portion of any such communication of the
Department of Homeland Security, that refers or relates to the
following:
1. Any documentation of a payment that, on its face,
refers to a business owned or controlled by Donald J.
Trump, the Trump Organization or any of its
subsidiaries, or any member of the Trump family in the
past three years.
2. Any documentation of an expenditure by the Department
that, on its face, is identified as being made for
services or goods from a business owned or controlled
by Donald J . Trump, the Trump Organization or any of
its subsidiaries, or any member of the Trump family.
3. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with the protection of Donald J . Trump,
Melania Trump, Donald J. Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump,
Jared Kushner, Eric Trump, or any other member of the
Trump family or Trump Organization while on
international travel that has not been documented by
the Secretary as in furtherance of the United States
Government.
4. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Eric Trump's trip to Uruguay in January
2017.
5. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Eric Trump's trip to the Dominican
Republic in February 2017.
6. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump's trip
to the United Arab Emirates in February 2017.
7. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Donald Trump, Jr.'s and Eric Trump's
trip to Canada in February 2017.
8. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Eric Trump's trip to the United Kingdom
and the Republic of Ireland in April 2017.
9. Any documentation referencing guidance, directive, or
analysis of any expenditure described in paragraph (1).
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
H. Res. 447 makes no changes to existing law.
115th Congress } { REPORT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 115-270
======================================================================
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO TRANSMIT
CERTAIN DOCUMENTS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RELATING TO
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES RELATING TO
BUSINESSES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
_______
July 28, 2017.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
_______
Mr. McCaul, from the Committee on Homeland Security, submitted the
following
ADVERSE REPORT
together with
DISSENTING VIEWS
[To accompany H. Res. 447]
The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred
the resolution (H. Res. 447) directing the Secretary of
Homeland Security to transmit certain documents to the House of
Representatives relating to Department of Homeland Security
policies and activities relating to businesses owned or
controlled by President Donald J. Trump, having considered the
same, report unfavorably thereon without amendment and
recommend that the resolution not be agreed to.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 3
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
Duplicative Federal Programs..................................... 4
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits....................................................... 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 4
Preemption Clarification......................................... 4
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.............................. 5
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 5
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 5
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 5
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
Dissenting Views................................................. 7
Purpose and Summary
On July 14, 2017, Representative Mrs. Watson Coleman
introduced H. Res. 447, a non-binding resolution of inquiry
requesting that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide
documents relating to the businesses owned or controlled by the
President of the United States.
The Resolution further requests the documentation of
expenses related to the protection of Donald J. Trump, Melania
Trump, Donald J. Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Eric
Trump, or any other member of the Trump family or Trump
Organization while on international travel that has not been
documented by the Secretary as in furtherance of the United
States Government. Documentation of the costs to the Department
associated with the following trips: Eric Trump's trip to
Uruguay in January 2017; Eric Trump's trip to the Dominican
Republic in February 2017; Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump's
trip to the United Arab Emirates in February 2017; Donald
Trump, Jr.'s and Eric Trump's trip to Canada in February 2017;
and Eric Trump's trip to the United Kingdom and the Republic of
Ireland in April 2017.
Background and Need for Legislation
A resolution of inquiry is a House resolution directing the
President or the head of an executive department to provide to
the House specific information in the possession of the
Administration.
Clause 7 of House Rule XIII provides that, if properly
drafted, a resolution of inquiry is provided special
parliamentary status allowing the Committee to which the
measure was referred to be discharged if the Committee has not
reported the measure back to the House within 14 legislative
days after its introduction.
The Committee notes that the consideration of this
resolution of inquiry is to have the Committee comply with Rule
XIII, it does not affect the Committee's obligation or
commitment to investigate and require documentation from the
Administration on issues within the Committee's jurisdictional
authorities.
The Committee believes H. Res. 447 is an unfortunate
departure from the important bipartisan security work the
Committee undertakes every day. Aside from that, this
Resolution of Inquiry is seeking an unnecessary and duplicative
document production from the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). DHS Secretary John Kelly testified before the Committee
in June that he would respond to information requests from
Members of Congress, regardless of party. In that vein, the
minority has made a very similar request for cost information
to the Secret Service--a request that the Service is processing
and is not, by any means, ignoring. Additionally, the Director
of the Secret Service testified before the Subcommittee on
Transportation and Protective Service in June and Members had
every opportunity to question him on these matters. The
Committee hopes we can return to building on our significant
bipartisan achievements and focus on the priorities critical to
our homeland security.
The Committee will investigate any credible allegation of
misconduct in the Executive Branch to the extent that such
allegations fall within the Committee's jurisdiction.
Hearings
No hearings were held on H. Res. 447 in the 115th Congress.
Committee Consideration
The Committee met on July 26, 2017, to consider H. Res.
447, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
an unfavorable recommendation, without amendment by a recorded
vote of 18 yeas and 11 nays (Roll Call Vote No. 15).
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H. Res. 447
on July 26, 2017, and took the following votes:
ROLL CALL NO. 15
H. Res. 447
On ordering H. Res. 447 to be reported to the House of Representatives with an unfavorable recommendation:
Agreed to: 18 yeas and 11 nays.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Yea Nay Representative Yea Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. McCaul, Chair............................ X Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ranking X
Member.
Mr. Smith of Texas........................... X Ms. Jackson Lee...................... X
Mr. King of New York......................... X Mr. Langevin......................... X
Mr. Rogers of Alabama........................ X Mr. Richmond.........................
Mr. Duncan of South Carolina................. X Mr. Keating.......................... X
Mr. Barletta................................. X Mr. Payne............................ X
Mr. Perry.................................... X Mr. Vela............................. X
Mr. Katko.................................... X Mrs. Watson Coleman.................. X
Mr. Hurd..................................... X Miss Rice of New York................ X
Ms. McSally.................................. X Mr. Correa........................... X
Mr. Ratcliffe................................ X Mrs. Demings......................... X
Mr. Donovan.................................. X Ms. Barragan......................... X
Mr. Gallagher................................ X
Mr. Higgins of Louisiana..................... X
Mr. Rutherford............................... X
Mr. Garrett.................................. X
Mr. Fitzpatrick.............................. X
Mr. Estes.................................... X
-------------
Vote Total: 18 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight
hearings and made findings that are reflected in this report.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.
Res. 447, would result in no new or increased budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, a cost estimate provided by the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Committee
estimates that this non-binding resolution would not result in
any significant costs.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, H. Res. 447 requests that the
Secretary of Homeland Security transmit any document, record,
memo, correspondence, or other communication of the Department
of Homeland Security to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Duplicative Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c) of Rule XIII, the Committee finds
that H. Res. 447 does not contain any provision that
establishes or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative
of another Federal program.
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits
In compliance with Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, this resolution, as reported, contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the Rule
XXI.
Federal Mandates Statement
An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Committee
believes that no Federal mandates are included in this
resolution.
Preemption Clarification
In compliance with section 423 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, requiring the report of any Committee on a bill or
joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which
the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt State,
local, or Tribal law, the Committee finds that H. Res. 447 does
not preempt any State, local, or Tribal law.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The Committee estimates that H. Res. 447 would require no
directed rule makings.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
This resolution, if adopted, would require the Secretary of
Homeland Security provide to the House of Representatives
copies of any document, record, memo, correspondence, or other
communication or any portion of any such communication of the
Department of Homeland Security, that refers or relates to the
following:
1. Any documentation of a payment that, on its face,
refers to a business owned or controlled by Donald J.
Trump, the Trump Organization or any of its
subsidiaries, or any member of the Trump family in the
past three years.
2. Any documentation of an expenditure by the Department
that, on its face, is identified as being made for
services or goods from a business owned or controlled
by Donald J . Trump, the Trump Organization or any of
its subsidiaries, or any member of the Trump family.
3. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with the protection of Donald J . Trump,
Melania Trump, Donald J. Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump,
Jared Kushner, Eric Trump, or any other member of the
Trump family or Trump Organization while on
international travel that has not been documented by
the Secretary as in furtherance of the United States
Government.
4. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Eric Trump's trip to Uruguay in January
2017.
5. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Eric Trump's trip to the Dominican
Republic in February 2017.
6. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump's trip
to the United Arab Emirates in February 2017.
7. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Donald Trump, Jr.'s and Eric Trump's
trip to Canada in February 2017.
8. Any documentation of costs to the Department
associated with Eric Trump's trip to the United Kingdom
and the Republic of Ireland in April 2017.
9. Any documentation referencing guidance, directive, or
analysis of any expenditure described in paragraph (1).
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
H. Res. 447 makes no changes to existing law.
DISSENTING VIEWS
On behalf of Committee Democrats, I submit the following
dissenting view regarding the Committee's 18-11 vote to report
H. Res. 447 disfavorably to the House of Representatives.
Committee Democrats strongly support H. Res. 447, a bill to
require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the
Department) to provide documents related to payments to the
Trump Organization or for costs associated with travel by
President Donald Trump's family in furtherance of the Trump
Organization. I strongly believe that our constituents deserve
the truth about how much DHS expends to carry out its
protective mission on business trips to bolster the Trump
Organization, a company that President Trump, in a departure
from prior Presidents who put their businesses in blind trusts,
put in a revocable trust in January 2017 ``for the exclusive
benefit of Donald J. Trump.''\1\ Additionally, our constituents
have an interest in knowing the extent to which DHS is doing
business with the Trump Organization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Trump International Hotel Liquor License Filings, January 27,
2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Need for the legislation
As introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), H. Res.
447 seeks information regarding expenditures, acquisitions, and
charges incurred by DHS as relates to President Donald J.
Trump's company, the Trump Organization and its subsidiaries.
To date, payments by the Department to the Trump Organization
for acquisitions and hospitality as well as the costs to the
Federal Treasury of U.S. Secret Service protection for Trump
family members on international travel to promote the business
interests of the Trump Organization has been shrouded in
mystery. The American people deserve answers; they deserve to
know if DHS' scarce resources are being expended to advance the
President's business interests instead of in furtherance of the
Department's mission to ``safeguard the American people, our
homeland, and our values.''\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trump Family travel in furtherance of the Trump Organization
During the 2016 presidential campaign, then-candidate Trump
flew on planes owned by one of his companies, TAG Air. As a
result, the Secret Service, whose standard practice is to
reimburse campaigns for the costs of travel of its protective
detail, reimbursed TAG Air to the tune of $2.74 million for
traveling with the candidate and his family.\3\ Since President
Trump's inauguration, the Trump children have traveled to
Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, the United Kingdom,
Vancouver, and Dubai in furtherance of the President's business
interests. It has been estimated that each trip has cost the
Secret Service between $4,000-$98,000.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\Justin Bachman, How Trump Can Make Money Off the Secret Service.
Bloomberg. November 15, 2016.
\4\Chris Riotta, Breaking Down All of the Trump Family's Travel
Costs and Lavish Expenditures. Newsweek. April 14, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Had H. Res. 447 been approved, the Committee would be able
to secure the information it needs to begin to understand the
burden that such travel places on the Department.
Expenses incurred by the Department at the ``Winter White House''
In President Trump's first six months in office--the
President spent 12 weekends away from the White House at three
commercial properties owned by the Trump Organization--his
Bedminster, NJ Golf Club, his Jupiter, FL Golf Club, and the
Mar-a-Lago resort.
It has been reported that by April 2017, to protect the
President at just Mar-A-Lago, the Secret Service paid the Trump
Organization more than $35,000 on golf cart rentals alone.\5\
Additionally, President Trump's repeated visits to the Mar-a-
Lago resort--a Trump Organization holding that doubled its
membership fees to $200,000 after President Trump's
inauguration and that the President refers to as the ``Winter
White House''--necessitated an enhanced U.S. Coast Guard
presence in the waterway adjacent to the resort. The Washington
Post estimated that it would cost the Coast Guard tens of
millions of dollars to provide protection at the Mar-a-Lago
resort over a four-year term.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\Brooke Seipel, Secret Service has spent $35,000 on golf cart
rentals since inauguration: report. The Hill, April 14, 2017.
\6\Drew Harwell & Dan Lamothe, Coast Guard faces growing costs for
protecting Trump's Mar-a-Lago. Washington Post. April 12, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The resource burdens placed on the Secret Service and Coast
Guard are of particular concern to the Committee insofar as
both agencies were, even prior to the inauguration, underfunded
and understaffed.
Conflicts of interest
This year, over $400 billion in Federal government
contracts are set to expire across the 19 largest Federal
agencies, including at the Department of Homeland Security.\7\
As introduced, H. Res. 447 seeks to collect information as to
whether protections in place within the Department to ensure
the integrity of the federal acquisitions process and guard
against agency decision-makers improperly favoring the Trump
Organization.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\Katherine McIntire Peter, The Agencies Where Trump Can Most
Easily Shift Contracting Priorities, Government Executive, July 21,
2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For instance, without greater transparency into DHS'
business transactions with the Trump Organization, what is to
prevent contracts for the President's southern border wall
going to the Trump Organization or one of its estimated 500
subsidiaries?\8\ Given that the President's proposal to build a
wall along the U.S.-Mexico border is estimated to cost roughly
$70 billion to build and $150 million a year to maintain,\9\
the profit potential for participating in the acquisition is
enormous.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\David Goldman, Donald Trump's 500 businesses would pose
`unprecedented ethical dilemma'. CNN. March 17, 2017.
\9\Ron Nixon, Border Wall Could Cost 3 Times Estimates, Senate
Democrats' Report Says. NY Times. April 18, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also know little about whether protections exist to
prevent DHS officials, in order to ingratiate themselves to the
President, from improperly steering lodging, conferences, or
other business to the Trump Organization, which is said to have
an extensive number of properties around the world.
Had the Majority joined us in our efforts to favorably
report H. Res. 447, we could have, on a bipartisan basis,
received baseline information to conduct oversight to ensure
that acquisitions at DHS are fair and open and that the Trump
Organization is not improperly favored.
Conclusion
In debate over H. Res 447, Committee Chairman McCaul (R-TX)
suggested that this resolution is inappropriate, saying that it
is ``not really reflective of the important bipartisan work of
this committee.''\10\ I strongly disagree with the Chairman's
observation; I believe that conducting meaningful oversight of
such payments directly aligns with our Constitutional
responsibility to be a check on the Executive Branch on behalf
of our constituents. This obligation is doubly important in
circumstances where scant Federal resources that are
appropriated for the purposes of protecting the Nation against
terrorism and other threats are expended in a manner that
enriches the sitting President.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\Full Committee Markup, House Committee on Homeland Security,
July 26, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chairman McCaul also asserted that this resolution ``seeks
a duplicative document production from DHS already requested by
the Minority''. In fact, DHS seems reluctant to provide such
information. On May 22 of 2017, I sent a letter to Secret
Service Director Randolph Alles requesting information about
monthly costs of protecting the President and all protectees in
the last five years, among other things.\11\ The deadline for
this request was June 5, 2017. To date, no response has been
provided.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\Letter from Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, H. Comm. On
Homeland Security, to Randolph D. Alles, Director, Secret Service. May
22, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approval of this resolution would have ensured that the
Committee be furnished critical information to do necessary
oversight of the Department of Homeland Security but,
regrettably, the Majority refused to stand with Committee
Democrats to seek the information. As a congressional oversight
committee, our responsibility is to follow the facts, but first
we must have those facts.
Bennie G. Thompson.
[all]