COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS wacoumms on raw: SUBCOMMITTEE on seem secumrv BILL PASCRELL, JR. 9111 DISTRICT. NEW 2409 HAYBURN HOUSE OFF CE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 225-5751 of the Haitian gaining ROBERT A ROE FEDERAL BUILDING 2? ?rmer: of impresentatiurs 523-5152 1973] 523-0537 FAX DEMOCRATIC STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE hm: pucrell house new house gov 28, 2019 Ellen Weintraub Chair Federal Election Commission 1050 First Street NE Washington, DC. 20463 Dear Chair Weintraub: I write to ask the Federal Election Commission (FEC) immediately open an investigation into Donald Trump?s presidential campaign debts to local law enforcement for public safety and protection services provided at campaign events. As of today, I understand that Donald Trump?s presidential campaign has at least 10 open and outstanding unpaid invoices from local law enforcement and ?re services dating back to 2016.i ii These outstanding invoices total more than $841,000 for work, overtime, and protective services. This burden has mostly fallen on small to mid-sized departments, such as those of Erie, Burlington, Lebanon, Duluth, and El Paso, who have invoiced Donald Trump?s presidential campaign for repayment. The FEC requires political committees to ?le regular receipt and disbursement requirements that disclose, among other information the amount and nature of outstanding debts.? The FEC also requires that political campaigns report disputed debts if the creditor has provided something of value to the campaign." Finally, the FEC demands that all debts and obligations owed by a political campaign be continuously reported until extinguished.? When a President or presidential candidate visits a town or city for a political event, the U.S. Secret Service often requests assistance from local law enforcement to ensure the safety of all attendees of their event. However, under existing law neither the Secret Service nor the presidential campaign is required to reimburse local law enforcement for additional manpower hours and work provided in connection to such events. Traditionally, though, political campaigns agree verbally or through written contract to reimburse local law enforcement for public safety and protective services required by the U.S. Secret Service. The unique costs of Trump campaign rallies on our communities themselves has been well- documented. According to a June 2019 report issued by the Center for Public Integrity, political events hosted by Donald Trump?s campaign place signi?cant burdens on local police and ?re departments because of high incidents of violence. "ii Similarly, a March 2018 study conducted by the University of Perelman School of Medicine found that cities hosting a Trump campaign event experienced on average 2.3 more assaults than they would expect on a 1 typical day an increase not associated with campaign events of other presidential candidates during the same time period.? The U.S. Secret Service often requires signi?cant manpower and overtime from local public safety of?ces for crowd control, traf?c management, and maintaining order at these political events?i". These events draw crowds far larger than the local of?cials are accustomed to handling. The work and assistance provided by these officers ensures these political events run smoothly and safely for all involved, including the President of the United States and candidates for our highest of?ce. This is assuredly ?something of value? provided ?by a creditor to a political As such, these debts and disputed debts must be reported accordingly. Donald Trump?s presidential campaign may ignore their obligation to reimburse local of?cials for the signi?cant assistance provided at these political events. But FEC regulations on reporting disputed debts clearly state that these disputes must be reported until the dispute is resolved.? Failing to reimburse local law enforcement departments for services rendered is not entirely unique to Donald Trump?s campaign. However, past candidates involved in debt disputes with local public safety of?cials, such as Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in his campaign for President in 2016, have reported these disputed debts on their quarterly ?lings with the FEC, which is to be done on quarterly Schedule or To date, Donald Trump?s presidential campaign has not reported these disputed debts on quarterly ?lings to As a Co-Chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus and former Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, I know local police departments are often cash?strapped and face signi?cant resource de?cits. These of?cers? service and dedication to keeping our communities safe is invaluable and cannot be understated. It is inappropriate for anyone foremost the President of the United States to contend that assistance and protective services provided by local police of?cers at political rallies is not something of value. I ask that the FEC open an investigation into this impropriety. Thank you for your time and attention to my request. Sincerely, Bill Pascrell, Jr. Member of Congress cc: Lisa J. Stevenson, Acting General Counsel, Federal Election Commission ht documents/614045 . 6.htrn1 2 44'9- I . [1.111 it 52 use 30104(h)(8) 1 11 116.10(a) 1? 11 C..FR 10411(a) ?hum? Imligimegrigi. org, ifecigral- . ., 111g gnsg-?fgubiicjw ll 116.10(a) ?i 11 116.10(a) I 11 CPR. 104.3(3) Merriam? i-