U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) has introduced a series of amendments to two federal government funding bills that he said are aimed at curbing President Trump’s “reckless” foreign policy initiatives and preventing federal funds from being used to enrich the President, his family, or members of his Cabinet.

According to Rep. Subramanyam’s office, the amendments were proposed during consideration of the Financial Services and General Government funding bill and the National Security and Department of State funding bill. However, the Republican majority declined to accept any of the proposed changes.

“Instead of focusing on lowering inflation and making life more affordable, Trump has spent most of his presidency alienating our allies, hurting our global standing, and enriching himself and his billionaire friends,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “I can’t stand idly by while Trump makes unilateral decisions about our foreign policy, especially when it personally benefits him. Congress can and should rein in Trump and his administration.”

The amendments introduced by Rep. Subramanyam included a proposal to add his COST of Relocations Act, which would require a cost-benefit analysis before federal offices or agencies are relocated outside the Washington, DC region.

Additional amendments sought to prohibit the use of federal funds to benefit the personal finances of Donald Trump, the Trump Organization, or the personal business interests of the President, Cabinet members, or political appointees.

Rep. Subramanyam also proposed amendments barring funds from being used to compensate entities, including oil companies, for work related to building or rebuilding oil infrastructure in Venezuela. Other measures would have prohibited the use of funds until the U.S. Agency for International Development is reopened, his office stated. 

Further amendments aimed to block funding for infrastructure projects in Venezuela unless they are authorized by Congress and unless nutrition cuts under H.R. 1 are repealed. Another proposal sought to prohibit the use of federal funds for the purchase or annexation of Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark.

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