Bill would bar self-pardons and boost checks on presidential power
In committeeH.R. 8831Latest action
Sponsor: Jamie Raskin · Representative · MD
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Protecting Our Democracy Act
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Protecting Our Democracy Act would limit presidential pardons, self-dealing, and foreign payments while expanding oversight tools.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 8831 restricts presidential pardons, including banning self-pardons and making pardon bribery a crime, and removes the statute of limitations for federal crimes by a president or vice president. It also tightens rules on foreign payments to officials, campaign inaugural funds, and legal defense funds, and creates new oversight tools like a White House and stronger whistleblower and subpoena enforcement.
Who does it affect?
The bill applies to the president, vice president, senior political appointees, federal agencies, Congress, campaign committees, and online platforms running political ads.
Why does it matter?
Supporters intend the changes to limit abuses of executive power, but the bill would also impose new reporting, disclosure, and legal-exposure requirements on officials and campaigns.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 14, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · May 14, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.