FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2026

Press Contact:

Vincent Errichetti

(617) 922-1824

Press@johndeatonforsenate.com

Deaton Pushes 'Clean Hands' Overhaul to End Career Politicians in Congress

Challenges Longtime Incumbent Markey's 50-Year Tenure
Boston, MA – U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton today unveiled his Washington Clean Hands Act, a comprehensive anti-corruption plan to restore integrity to Congress and end the era of career politicians.
"Washington was never meant to be a career," Deaton said. "My Clean Hands Act starts with cleaning up Congress and will be the first bills I introduce as Senator."
The plan's key reforms include:

1. Congressional Term Limits — Push for a constitutional amendment limiting service to 3 House terms and 2 Senate terms.
2. No-Trade Zone — Ban stock, crypto or commodities trading by Members of Congress.
3. Lifetime Lobbying Ban — Prohibit former Members from ever lobbying.
4. End Regulatory Capture — Bar high-level agency officials (e.g., FDA, SEC, EPA) from taking board or executive roles at regulated companies for at least 5 years.
5. Single Issue Bill Act — Require all bills to address one topic only, ending omnibus packages loaded with unrelated pork.
6. Read the Bill Mandate — Make final bill text public and searchable for at least 72 hours before any vote.
7. No Pay for No Budget — Withhold congressional pay (non-recoverable) if budgets and appropriations bills aren't passed on time.
8. Dark Money Transparency — Require 48-hour disclosure of contributions over $500 to Super PACs or politically active non-profits.
9. Ban on Foreign Lobbying & Contributions — Prohibit former Members or senior officials from ever working for foreign governments/entities; close loopholes for foreign-owned subsidiaries influencing U.S. elections.
10. Truth in Legislating Audit — Create an independent, non-partisan ethics commission with subpoena power to investigate pay-to-play allegations.
11. End Leadership PAC Slush Funds — Abolish Leadership PACs that allow special-interest funds for personal lifestyle expenses like luxury travel and dinners.
12. Conflict of Interest Recusal Mandate — Require Members to recuse from votes or sponsorships affecting companies/industries where they, their spouse, or close family hold significant financial interests.
13. Mandatory Tax Disclosures — Require federal candidates to release at least 10 years of tax returns.
14. Truth in Spending — End budget gimmicks like "emergency" designations to bypass caps.
15. Inflation Impact Statement — Require independent analysis of inflation effects for bills spending over $1 billion (or $100 million at state level).
16. Full Disclosure of Shadow Lobbying — Require registration and client disclosure for anyone paid over $1,000 to influence federal officials.
17. Universal Foreign Influence Disclosure — Mandate foreign agent registration for anyone pushing foreign agendas (e.g., from Israel, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar), with no loopholes.
18. End NGO Funding — Prohibit government funding of activities the government itself cannot undertake.

Deaton's bold reforms stand in stark contrast to Senator Ed Markey's 50-year career in Congress, highlighting the need for fresh, accountable leadership.

Visit JohnDeatonforSenate.com for more details.

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