If you were looking for a recent example of proposed legislation that should be passed, but probably won’t be, look no further than the AFFAIR Act, which was introduced by Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL). The act, also known as the Against Federal Funds for Allowing Inappropriate Relationships Act, seeks to cut off federal taxpayer funds from going to state or local prosecutorial offices that have engaged in inappropriate, corrupt, or unlawful activities.
The proposed legislation is a clear case of throwing shade at Fulton County (Georgia) District Attorney Fani Willis, who is currently embroiled in a scandal surrounding her romantic relationship with one of the prosecutors she hired to prosecute former President Donald Trump.
The bill, first shared with the Washington Examiner, is called the “Against Federal Funds for Allowing Inappropriate Relationships Act,” or the AFFAIR Act. The legislation would prohibit awarding federal funds to the office of “any state or local chief prosecutor if any individual in such office has been convicted for engaging in corruption or any other unlawful activity.”
Mills is one of several Republicans who have called for investigations into Willis or demanded that she recuse herself from the investigation into Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Willis does not plan on stepping down from the case, believing it would end the investigation into the former president.
“Not only was Fani Willis’ relationship with Nathan Wade extremely inappropriate and creates concerns around a conflict of interest, but it also potentially shows violations of bias against political opposition, and lawfare for election interference,” Mills said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “Under no circumstance should federal funds be sent to a state or local office if there is unlawful and unethical activity taking place.”
“Our nation was founded on the steadfast tenets that liberty and justice — including the fair and equal application of the law — are crucial to ensuring the preservation of our constitutional republic,” the Florida Republican continued. “I’m proud to introduce the AFFAIR Act to ensure American taxpayer dollars will not be misappropriated or weaponized due to unlawful and unethical activities.”
READ: Fani Willis Admits to Affair With Trump Prosecutor in Filing, Desperately Tries to Save Her Case
The bill, with its tongue-in-cheek title, reflects a deeper frustration with the lack of accountability for government officials who abuse their authority or engage in improprieties. Indeed, the government seems typically more interested in shielding corrupt officials than holding them accountable and promoting accountability.
The AFFAIR Act references Willis, but there are far more examples of corruption in local and state governments that typically go unaddressed. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that such a bill will pass – especially due to its blatant reference to Willis. But in reality, even if there were no partisan concerns in such a bill, it would get voted down in one or both chambers of Congress.
The harsh reality is that corruption will continue running rampant at the federal, state, and local levels as long as the populace allows it. When government officials know they will never face a true backlash from the people, they have no reason to conduct themselves with integrity.
