"Greedy, greedy, greedy"

"My whole life I've been greedy, greedy, greedy. I've grabbed all the money I could get. I'm so greedy."

–Donald Trump, January 28, 2016

Donald Trump has raked in massive amounts of money since becoming president.

Some of that cash comes from the foreign agents buttering him up by staying at his hotels. And some of it comes straight from American taxpayers, as Trump administration officials stay at Trump's hotels and properties while on official business.

Trump's apologists would have us believe that this is just a coincidence. Trump himself would like us to believe that federal employees spend taxpayer money at his hotels because they're just so darn nice.

I don't believe either of those things. Not for a second.

Trump told us while running for office that he's "greedy, greedy, greedy." He bragged about it. In the process, he made sure that everyone knew that the fastest way to his heart is through his wallet.

Since launching his campaign for president, Trump has jumped at every opportunity to exploit American families. Whether it's by wasting taxpayer funds at his own properties for personal profit, or giving massive permanent tax breaks to corporations and the 1%.

This week, my colleagues and I introduced the Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging (HOTEL) Act, which will stop the Trump administration from spending taxpayer dollars at businesses owned by the president or members of his family.

It should go without saying that the president shouldn't be using taxpayer money to line his pockets or viewing civil servants as his personal customer base.

This is common sense. Trump's cycle of self-dealing and profiteering off of the American people must end.

Ron