Stop MUSK Act

H.R. 3734, the Stop MUSK Act, would modify who must recuse themselves under 18 U.S.C. § 208(a) and how broad recusal obligations are in relation to private-sector financial interests. The bill moves the recusal standard to cover only certain high-level executive branch positions (those in the Executive Schedule, special Government Employees, and officers or employees of the Executive Office of the President) rather than all executive branch employees and certain outside entities. It also adds a new look-back provision: if, in the four years before a current participation, the official served in an active capacity (in roles such as officer, director, partner, consultant, contractor, etc.) for an organization that could be affected by a matter, including direct competitors, they would be required to recuse from matters that affect that organization’s financial interests. Political organizations described in IRC 527(e) are excluded from this recusal trigger. The overall aim is to tighten safeguards against conflicts of interest for top-level officials and those transitioning from the private sector, by further limiting potential influence from former employers or rival firms.