To provide increased Congressional oversight of certain pardons, to clarify the applicability of bribery prohibitions to pardons and commutations, and for other purposes.
Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act
This bill requires the President and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide certain information when the President grants a pardon for certain offenses. The bill also amends criminal statutes relating to the bribery of public officials.
If the President pardons or commutes the sentence of an individual for certain crimes, the President and DOJ shall submit to Congress all materials obtained, produced, or prepared by certain government entities relating to the offense and pardon. This requirement shall apply to a pardon for an offense against the United States involving the President or a relative of the President, or for specified offenses such as witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
The President and DOJ shall make these submissions no later than 30 days after the pardon.
The bill also amends a criminal statute prohibiting the bribery of public officials to state that for the purposes of the statute (1) the President or Vice President is a public official; and (2) a pardon, commutation, or reprieve (or an offer of such) is an official act. (Generally, the statute prohibits, among other things, corruptly offering anything of value to a public official with intent to influence an official act.)
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, 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.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
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