WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senators Rick Scott and Dr. Rand Paul announced the reintroduction of the Royalty Transparency Act to require disclosure of royalty payments from both government employees and advisory committee members in an effort to increase government accountability. Under current law, federal employees are not required to report the source or amount of royalty payments they receive for their government-related work. This lack of transparency prevents taxpayers from holding individuals accountable within the federal government for conflicts of interest and other abuse. Congressman Morgan Griffith is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I am proud to support the Royalty Transparency Act, ensuring federal employees’ transparency and accountability to the American people. Under current law, bureaucrats like Anthony Fauci and NIH employees were able to receive millions in royalty payments from companies outside the federal government without requirements for reporting, raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and fueling distrust in the federal government. Our bill will bring much-needed transparency to these payments by requiring they be publicly reported, helping to hold bureaucrats accountable to the American people and restoring trust in the federal government.” 

Doctor Rand Paul said, “Distrust in public health officials is at an all-time high. One way to restore trust is to make sure that public policy isn’t influenced by personal gain. The Royalty Transparency Act will allow more information to be seen by the public to ensure federal decision makers, and the policies they write, aren’t being influenced by the royalty payments they receive.”

Congressman Morgan Griffith said, “For too long, federal bureaucrats concealed the royalties they received, who they were paid by, what they were compensated for and how much they were paid. As the Trump Administration ushers in a new era of transparency in our federal government, the Royalty Transparency Act will foster greater government transparency and accountability by requiring government officials in federal agencies to disclose the royalties that they receive as a result of their government service. I am excited to work with Senator Paul so we can shine a light on these royalties and hold federal bureaucrats to a greater standard of accountability.”

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