Statement: Roosevelt Institute Fellow Responds to Bill Introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren to Curb Government Corruption

The Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act would limit the influence lobbyists have in policymaking, deter government officials from enriching themselves through their public positions, end the revolving door between industries and the agencies that regulate them, and make the policymaking process more transparent.


New York, NY – Today, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced legislation that would make sweeping changes to our country’s ethics and conflict-of-interest laws. The Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act would limit the influence lobbyists have in policymaking, deter government officials from enriching themselves through their public positions, end the revolving door between industries and the agencies that regulate them, and make the policymaking process more transparent.

Julie Margetta Morgan, Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute and Director of the Great Democracy Initiative, issued the following statement:

“Policymakers cannot represent the needs of all Americans when they prioritize their own financial interests—or those of big-money lobbyists. Influence-peddling and self-enrichment are systemic in Washington, and these behaviors rig the rules in favor of the wealthy and well-connected, driving inequality.

We need robust laws that keep money and self-interest out of policymaking, and we need a single agency that is accountable for enforcing them. The Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act is a bold proposal to give us both.”

Margetta Morgan co-authored Unstacking the Deck: A New Agenda to Tame Corruption in Washington, which examines corruption in the post-Watergate era and the role of money in government today. The report calls for modernized ethics rules, an end to the revolving door, and the creation of a federal enforcement agency to fight corruption.

About the Roosevelt Institute

Until the rules work for every American, they’re not working. The Roosevelt Institute asks: what does a better society look like? Armed with a bold vision for the future, we push the economic and social debate forward. We believe that those at the top hold too much power and wealth, and that our economy will be stronger when that changes. Ultimately, we want our work to move the country toward a new economic and political system: one built by many for the good of all.

It takes all us to rewrite the rules. From emerging leaders to Nobel laureate economists, we’ve built a network of thousands. At Roosevelt, we make influencers more thoughtful and thinkers more influential. We also celebrate—and are inspired by—those whose work embodies the values of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and carries their vision forward today.

###