A Democratic candidate says he's going to give another 10 people $ 1,000 a month for a year

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In the third Democratic presidential debate on ABC News, Yang announced that he will draw ten "dividends of freedom", which will be funded by campaign donations from his supporters. Yang's "dividends of freedom" are at the heart of his campaign platform. In the past, he had already used his personal funds to test his idea: paying monthly payments to three families in Iowa, New Hampshire and Florida, according to his campaign.

The businessman argued that a universal basic income for all Americans over the age of 18 would play a vital role in the equity of the modern economy.

In a statement, Yang's campaign staff said they consulted with their lawyers, who said that "the dividends of freedom fully comply with all the regulations of the FEC."

But campaign finance experts believe that its unusual use – using donor money to make these payments – could violate federal law prohibiting the conversion of campaign funds for personal gain.

Adav Noti, a former Federal Election Commission lawyer who is now a leading lawyer with the non-profit Campaign Legal Center, said Yang's campaign seemed to show that the ban Use for personal purposes only applied to a candidate who uses donor money to pay his or her contributions. his own bills.

But Noti says the law prohibits the "personal" use of campaign funds by "anyone".

"Although it is difficult to say with 100% certainty until we know the details of the payments, Yang's proposal to use campaign money to help paying the daily expenses of some people seems to violate the law, "said CNN's Noti.

"The fact that the payments are consistent with Yang's campaign platform is irrelevant," he added. "An anti-tax candidate can not use the campaign money to pay his taxes, and a pro-income candidate can not use that money to give people money."

Yang's associates did not immediately respond to an interview request on Thursday night.

Whatever the case may be, it is unlikely that the Federal Election Commission will intervene in the near future. The agency charged with enforcing campaign finance laws and advising candidates on these issues has recently lost the power to tackle key implementation issues as it only counts three members.

The FEC needs at least four members to take meaningful action.

And in the short term, Yang's decision will likely bring useful information to his campaign about potential supporters as they go to his website to sign up for the contest.

After Yang finished speaking Thursday night, the camera was cut off in South Bend, Indiana, by Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his opening remarks.

"It's original," Buttigieg said with a smirk. "I'll give you that."

"The campaign is excited to work with our supporters to help create more stories about what the Freedom Dividend means for American families, and it will allow citizens to pay their bills, change money, and save money." Employment, take care of their loved ones and plan their activities. " the future, "Campaign Director Zach Graumann said in a statement.

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