Full Breakdown
Drain the Swamp Act Introduced: Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Bill
6/16/2026, 1:24:26 AM
Core Event – Announcement in Cincinnati
In a press release issued today, Representatives Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) and Josh Riley (D-NY-19) announced the Drain the Swamp Act in Cincinnati, describing it as the most comprehensive anti-corruption legislation in U.S. history. The full text was posted online.
Background & Context – Prior Anti-Corruption Efforts and Legislative Foundations
The bill builds on Landsman’s anti-corruption record, including his 2025 sale of all personal stocks and salary suspension during the 2025 shutdown. His “Our Great American Moment” agenda pairs the act with nine other reforms to restore public trust. The legislation incorporates provisions from Rep. Seth Magaziner’s Restore Trust in Government Act, Rep. Mike Budzinski’s PREDICT Act, and Rep. David Raskin’s Protecting Our Democracy Act, covering stock-ownership bans, prediction-market limits, and stronger emoluments rules.
Timeline of Relevant Developments
2025 – Federal shutdown; Landsman suspended his congressional salary.
June 16 2026 – Drain the Swamp Act introduced in Cincinnati; full text released online.
Provisions of the Drain the Swamp Act
The act bans the President, Vice President, members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, and their immediate families from owning or trading individual stocks. It bars betting on political events or government actions in prediction markets for those officials. It requires bipartisan congressional approval before a president, their immediate family, or related businesses may sue the federal government. It strengthens emoluments clauses to block illegal gifts and bribes, and adds bans on corporate PACs, insider trading, term limits for elected officials, and dark-money influence.
Official Statements & Summaries
Landsman described the legislation as a response to unprecedented, blatant corruption and called for congressional leadership to restore democratic integrity. Riley emphasized personal experience with corporate influence harming working families in Upstate New York and framed the reforms as a remedy for a rigged political system.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The announcement provides no dissenting commentary, independent analysis, or external assessment of the bill’s legal or constitutional feasibility.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The blatant corruption in Washington will only end when Congress steps up. This is our moment for big change. It’s time to take on corruption, fix our broken politics and democracy, and return power to the American people.” — Greg Landsman, U.S. Representative
- “Growing up in Endicott, I saw firsthand what happens when politicians put corporate interests over the needs of working families: plants close down, jobs get shipped overseas, and our communities suffer. I came to Congress to take on the corrupt political establishment that has hurt too many of my neighbors in Upstate New York and to fix the system that has been rigged against us for far too long. The Drain the Swamp Act is a comprehensive reform package that bans corporate PACs, bans insider trading, establishes term limits, and gets dark money out of politics.” — Josh Riley, U.S. Representative
What’s Next – Prospects for Legislative Action
The sponsors have posted the complete bill text online. No details on committee referral or hearings were disclosed.
