After gutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and more, Musk is now positioning his companies to fill the very gaps he’s created.

This corrupt self-dealing is only possible because of gaping loopholes in our ethics law, and unless we act now to close them, the damage could last for years. Musk isn’t backing down. While he may be stepping back from DOGE to focus more on Tesla, he’s also planning to stay embedded in government — until 2029.

This kind of firewall already exists for members of Congress. Here’s how it works: S.1365 would use the Securities and Exchange Commission’s definition of company ownership: If an SGE owns 5% or more of a company, that company would be ineligible to contract with or receive payment from the federal government. When the SGE steps away from their government role, the ban is lifted, plain and simple.

It’s basic ethics. S.1365 is a long overdue step toward strengthening public trust and accountability. By urging your senators to support it, you’re helping ensure government work done in the public interest — NOT in the service of billionaire kleptocrats.

SGEs are supposed to serve the country, not exploit it for private gain. Yet with no law stopping them, they’d write policy with one hand and sign contracts with the other.

That’s how Musk can sabotage public services and undermine our democracy while reaping billions in federal funding for SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla. We can’t promise that we can stop Musk’s hostile takeover of our government fast enough to avoid more harm. What can we guarantee? Nothing will change if organizations like ours, and people like you, sit on the sidelines. 

Join us: Let’s send Capitol Hill a crucial message and slam the door on Musk’s corruption and self-dealing. Tell the Senate to cosponsor and pass S.1365, and end federal contracts to SGEs!