James Comer and Katie Porter Unveil Bipartisan Presidential Ethics Legislation

House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) announced new legislation on Wednesday that would require financial disclosures from presidents.

The Details: Under the bill, titled The Presidential Ethics Reform Act, presidents and vice presidents would have to disclose their tax filings, foreign payments, and loan transactions for two years before taking office, their years in office, and two years after leaving office. Disclosures would also include any family members accompanying them on official travel. 

For Context: Comer is known for his leading role in House Republicans’ investigations into Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings, including the ongoing impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden. Porter, who earlier this year lost the Democratic primary for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) seat to Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), is known for using a whiteboard to detail financial ethics issues in hearings. While Biden’s son has been the focus of Republican criticism, Democrats have criticized former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for reportedly receiving billions in Saudi investments after helping craft Trump’s Middle East policy. 

How the Media Covered It: Coverage was generally similar, often framing Comer and Porter as an “unlikely” or “rare” duo.