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Read. Follow. Verify.Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act of 2024
Record date · December 5, 2024
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill mandates Department of Justice and Congressional oversight for pardons involving offenses related to the President or their relatives, and explicitly prohibits the President from pardoning themselves. It also clarifies that federal bribery laws apply to the granting of pardons and commutations.
The bill establishes new legal requirements for the President to disclose investigative materials to Congress and the Inspector General when granting specific pardons, potentially limiting executive discretion in cases involving the President's family or associates.
- The presidential pardon power is granted by Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which allows the President to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
President of the United States
The President is subject to new disclosure requirements for pardons and is prohibited from self-pardoning.
Department of Justice
The agency must provide investigative materials to the Inspector General and Congress upon the issuance of certain pardons.
Congressional Committees
Relevant committees gain the right to receive investigative materials related to specific pardons.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'covered offense' under this bill?
Can the President still pardon themselves?
What happens if the President refuses to provide documents regarding a pardon?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)
2024
“In support of proper enforcement of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and proper use of recess appointments powers. In support of increasing federal election funding, including funding for protection of elections officials. In support of the Right to Vote Act. In support of protecting the right to vote and preparation for/prevention of election subversion and certification issues. In support of reform to the Insurrections Act. In support of preventing abuse of executive power, including restoring Congress as a meaningful check on executive authority. In support of reforms to the National Emergencies Act. In opposition to H.R. 9495 (Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act) provision of empowering unilateral revocation of tax-exempt status of U.S. non-profits In opposition to Schedule F reforms weakening the federal civil work service. In support of the PRESS Act to protect journalists from court-ordered disclosure of sources in the absence of a threat of imminent violence or terrorism threat against the U.S. In support of checks against the weaponization of the Department of Justice In support of an amendment to the constitution regarding the presidential pardon power. ”
Protect Democracy United (fka UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)
2024
“In support of proper enforcement of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and proper use of recess appointments powers. In support of increasing federal election funding, including funding for protection of elections officials. In support of the Right to Vote Act. In support of protecting the right to vote and preparation for/prevention of election subversion and certification issues. In support of reform to the Insurrections Act. In support of preventing abuse of executive power, including restoring Congress as a meaningful check on executive authority. In support of reforms to the National Emergencies Act. In opposition to H.R. 9495 (Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act) provision of empowering unilateral revocation of tax-exempt status of U.S. non-profits In opposition to Schedule F reforms weakening the federal civil work service. In support of the PRESS Act to protect journalists from court-ordered disclosure of sources in the absence of a threat of imminent violence or terrorism threat against the U.S. In support of checks against the weaponization of the Department of Justice In support of an amendment to the constitution regarding the presidential pardon power. ”
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Bribery Statutes
The bill explicitly amends federal bribery law to include the President and Vice President, closing a potential loophole regarding the exchange of value for pardons.
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance90How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment60Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz75Current news / social attention level
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