I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1561 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit certain acts of nepotism, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 6, 2019 
Mr. GALLEGO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Oversight and Reform 
A BILL 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to prohibit certain 
acts of nepotism, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Security Clearance 
Family Review Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Chapter 31 of title 5, United States Code, 
establishes anti-nepotism laws. 
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(2) The specific purpose of the statute was to 
prevent nepotism and unfair conduct in Federal hir-
ing practices. 
(3) 
The 
White 
House 
announced 
Jared 
Kushner’s Federal employment appointment as sen-
ior White House adviser on January 9, 2017. 
(4) The White House announced Ivanka 
Trump’s appointment as an official government em-
ployee as assistant to the President on March 29, 
2017. 
(5) Under section 3110(a)(3) of title 5, United 
States Code, a daughter or son-in-law constitute a 
‘‘relative’’ for purposes of a public official. 
(6) According to recent reporting by the New 
York Times, both Mr. Kushner and Ms. Trump re-
tain substantial holdings, totaling as much as $740 
million, that would be impacted based on a decision 
made by the Government. 
(7) Question 20A.1 on United States Govern-
ment Standard Form 86 (SF 86), which all appli-
cants seeking a security clearance must submit, 
asks: ‘‘Have you, your spouse, or cohabitant ever 
had any foreign financial interests (such as stocks, 
property, financial investments, bank accounts, own-
ership of corporate entities, corporate interests, or 
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businesses) in which you or they have direct control 
or direct ownership?’’. 
(8) Question 20A.2 on such Form asks: ‘‘Have 
you, your spouse, cohabitant, or dependent children 
ever had any foreign financial interests that someone 
controlled on your behalf?’’. 
(9) Question 20A.3 on such Form asks: ‘‘Have 
you, your spouse, cohabitant, or dependent children 
ever owned, or do you anticipate owning, or plan to 
purchase real estate in a foreign country?’’. 
(10) Financial disclosures released on March 
31, 2017, indicate that while both Mr. Kushner and 
Ms. Trump have divested from direct leadership 
roles in their previous businesses and real estate in-
terests, their financial wealth remains tied to the 
success of those ventures by way of various trusts 
and company holdings. 
(11) President Trump has repeatedly declined 
to disclose personal or commercial tax returns or 
divesture agreements. 
(12) Given President Trump’s refusal to dis-
close tax returns or divesture agreements, it is dif-
ficult to assess whether Mr. Trump’s relatives suffi-
ciently divested in holdings or are subject to foreign 
financial influence, including possible loans to the 
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