Rep. Krishnamoorthi: Jared Kushner Must Come Clean, Reassure Public That Kushner Companies Deal On 666 Fifth Ave With Qatar-Linked Firm is Honest

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following response to a report that Jared Kushner's family real estate firm, Kushner Companies, is nearing a deal with a Qatar-linked company regarding 666 Fifth Avenue:

"The announcement that Kushner Companies is on the verge of securing financing for its financially-troubled building at 666th Fifth Avenue is yet another reminder of the ethical vulnerabilities of this administration. When the Kushners bought this building, they paid $1.8 billion for the property, which was the most ever paid for a New York City skyscraper. Currently, 30 percent of 666 Fifth Ave. is vacant, and the rent only generates half as much as is necessary to cover the mortgage payments. Despite this precarious financial situation, it appears that a property management fund with significant ties to the Qatari government is willing to assume this building's debts from the Kushner Companies.

In order to reassure the American People that this deal is not being used to obscure any improper payments to the Kushner family, Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner must release all records of meetings he has taken with the Qatari government or its representatives. He also has an ethical obligation to release his security clearance paperwork to put to rest – once and for all – any concern that his family company's debts render him vulnerable to financial pressure from hostile foreign actors.

Situations like this are why I introduced the CONFLICT Act, which requires all White House staff to report any time they seek a waiver from the requirement to recuse oneself from a conflict of interest regardless of whether or not the waiver was granted. Congress has been asleep at the switch for far too long, failing to provide any oversight of the very real dangers these conflicts of interest present. This sale is an opportunity for Mr. Kushner to make clear he is putting the American people first."