What does Preamble of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To protect our democracy by preventing abuses of Presidential power, restoring checks and balances and accountability and transparency in government, and defending elections against foreign interference, and for other purposes,' aims to safeguard democratic processes. The bill seeks to prevent abuses of Presidential power. It intends to restore checks and balances, accountability, and transparency in government. The bill also aims to defend elections against foreign interference.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Protecting Our Democracy Act.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Abuse of the Pardon Power Prevention Act.

What does CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT RELATING TO CERTAIN PARDONS. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This section establishes congressional oversight procedures related to presidential pardons for 'covered offenses'. The Attorney General must submit materials related to the offense and the pardon to the chair and ranking member of specified congressional committees within 30 days of a pardon. The materials to be submitted include prosecution team materials, investigative agency materials, and Department of Justice materials related to both the offense and the pardon. Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 6(e) cannot be used to prohibit the disclosure of information required by this section. The 'appropriate congressional committee' includes the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, and if the investigation involves intelligence matters, the Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence. A 'covered offense' includes offenses arising from investigations involving the President, relatives of the President, former Presidents, political appointees of the President, employees of presidential committees, or offenses motivated by a direct and significant personal or pecuniary interest related to these individuals. Covered offenses also include offenses under specific sections of the Revised Statutes and Title 18 of the United States Code, particularly those related to congressional proceedings or investigations. The term 'pardon' includes a commutation of a sentence. The definition of 'relative' with respect to the President is based on regulations defining family members for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

What does BRIBERY IN CONNECTION WITH PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This section amends Section 201 of Title 18, United States Code, concerning bribery. The amendment expands the definition of 'person' in subsection (a)(2) to include apparent successful candidates for President and Vice President who have not yet assumed office, as determined under the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Subsection (a)(1) now includes 'the President and the Vice President of the United States' within the definition of those who can be the subject of bribery. Subsection (b)(3) clarifies that offers of pardons, commutations, or reprieves are included within the scope of 'anything of value' related to corruptly giving, offering, or promising something.

What does PROHIBITION ON PRESIDENTIAL SELF-PARDON. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This section prohibits a President from pardoning themself. A presidential self-pardon is declared void and without legal effect. Courts retain jurisdiction even if a self-pardon is attempted. A self-pardon does not grant the President immunity from investigation or prosecution.

What does FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORTS BY PARDON RECIPIENTS. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This section establishes requirements for financial disclosure reports from individuals who receive a pardon from the President. A 'covered individual' is defined as someone granted a pardon by the President on or after the Act's enactment date. Covered individuals must submit reports to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) regarding gifts given to the President during the 365 days before the pardon was granted. An initial report is due within 30 days of the pardon, and continuing reports are due by May 15th annually for five years following the pardon. These reports must include the date, description, and value of each gift. The Director is required to establish an online portal for submissions within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The Director must publish these reports in a searchable format on the OGE website within 15 days of submission.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This bill is formally titled the 'No President is Above the Law Act'.

What does TOLLING OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This section amends Section 3282 of Title 18, United States Code, regarding the statute of limitations. It establishes that a President or Vice President's tenure in office will not be considered when calculating the statute of limitations for federal criminal offenses they committed, including those before their tenure. The amendment applies to offenses committed before the enactment of this section, provided the statute of limitations had not already expired. This section clarifies that it does not prevent the indictment or prosecution of a President or Vice President during their tenure for violating U.S. criminal laws.

What does CONTRACTS BY THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT, OR A CABINET of Protecting Our Democracy Act do?

This section amends Section 431 of Title 18, United States Code. The amendment inserts language to include the President, the Vice President, and a Cabinet Member within the scope of the section. The amendment modifies the table of sections for chapter 23 of Title 18, United States Code, to reflect the updated section title. The updated title of Section 431 is 'Contracts by the President, the Vice President, a Cabinet Member, or a Member of Congress.'

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Protecting Our Democracy Act

Last updated: 9/17/2025 · Introduced: 9/17/2025

Author: Adam Schiff (D-CA)

AI TL;DR will appear after bill summary generation completes.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 4557(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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Protecting Our Democracy Act

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