Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Countable Is Officially Causes.com

house Bill H.R. 5551

Releasing Evidence Against the Recipient of a Presidential Pardon in Investigations Involving the President or His Family

Argument in favor

The president shouldn’t be able to pardon people in connection with investigations in which the president or a family member is a target, subject, or witness without Congress getting access to evidence from the investigation.

Michelle's Opinion
···
04/29/2018
I'm always for more transparency. We have the right to know what's going on in our government. I would prefer it if this was required for all presidential pardons, but I'm glad this bill covers the cases with the most potential for corrupt bias. Those opposed are upset that this bill is pointed at Trump, but they should remember that it will still be in effect after his term ends. Whether or not you trust the current president is irrelevant; eventually, there will be a president you don't trust, so everyone should support this check.
Like (195)
Follow
Share
Thelma's Opinion
···
04/29/2018
We must restore the dignity of the American presidency. The president should not have the option to pardon people for crimes in which he or she either participated in, or benefited from. If, unfortunately, a bill must be passed to protect our country from corruption, so be it.
Like (77)
Follow
Share
MinnesotaMom's Opinion
···
04/29/2018
Promising a pardon to your coconspirators is a form of corruption. It corrupts the presidency. This bill guards us from the possibility of a corrupt president. No honest president need fear this bill.
Like (74)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

The president has the constitutional authority to issue pardons to whomever they please and Congress would be wrong to interfere with that by requiring the disclosure of pardons stemming from investigations involving the president.

Jennifer 's Opinion
···
04/29/2018
Adam, “Shifty” Schiff will do anything to reduce Presidential powers under this President. Every President thereafter has their powers reduced. Everyone should concern themselves with that. You Libs had no problem when, according to Wikipedia, Clinton pardoned Marc Rich: “Marc Rich (born Marcell David Reich; December 18, 1934 – June 26, 2013) was an international commodities trader, hedge fund manager, financier and businessman.[1] He was best known for receiving a pardon by former President Clinton in the United States from federal charges related to violating sanctions against his oil and commodity trades with Iran. He was in Switzerland at the time of the indictment and never returned to the United States.[2] He received a presidential pardon from U.S. President Bill Clinton on January 20, 2001, Clinton's last day in office.[3] His wife Denise had made large contributions to the Democratic Party, to Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign, and to the Clinton Library foundation during Bill Clinton's presidency.” The only corruption here, is the morally bankrupt souls of the Democrat Party. So Shifty, stop trying to diminish the powers of the Presidency. You lost. Pull up your big boy knickers and get over it.
Like (27)
Follow
Share
JTJ's Opinion
···
04/29/2018
No. You all supported the Obamas and the Clintons, yet you call Trump corrupt? That is hysterical.
Like (26)
Follow
Share
BradSmith's Opinion
···
04/29/2018
Anything to interfere with the current President seems to be the focus of some members of the Congress. How about sticking to your Article I responsibility.
Like (13)
Follow
Share

What is House Bill H.R. 5551?

This bill — the Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act — would aim to prevent the president from abusing the pardon power by pardoning someone in connection with an investigation in which the president or their family member is a target, subject, or witness. It would require the Attorney General to provide all evidence from the federal investigation into the recipient of the pardon to Congress.

Impact

Potential recipients of presidential pardons; and the president.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 5551

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced this bill to prevent the president from abusing the pardon power for their personal benefit or to obstruct justice:

“President Trump already has signaled that he is willing to use his constitutional powers in order to protect those who remain loyal to him even if they are convicted of obstruction or perjury. By pardoning Scooter Libby.. Trump has sent a clear and unmistakable message to potential witnesses against him or members of his family that: ‘if you have my back, I’ll have yours.’ At a time of constitutional peril, it is incumbent on the Congress to stand up for the rule of law by creating a strong disincentive to the president issuing pardons to protect himself and obstruct ongoing investigations.”

This legislation has the support of 29 cosponsors, all of whom are Democrats.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: JTSorrell / iStock)

AKA

Abuse of the Pardon Prevention Act

Official Title

To direct the Attorney General to submit to Congress investigative materials in the event of certain pardons granted by the President, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house has not voted
      house Committees
      Committee on the Judiciary
    IntroducedApril 18th, 2018
    Michelle's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    I'm always for more transparency. We have the right to know what's going on in our government. I would prefer it if this was required for all presidential pardons, but I'm glad this bill covers the cases with the most potential for corrupt bias. Those opposed are upset that this bill is pointed at Trump, but they should remember that it will still be in effect after his term ends. Whether or not you trust the current president is irrelevant; eventually, there will be a president you don't trust, so everyone should support this check.
    Like (195)
    Follow
    Share
    Jennifer 's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/29/2018
    Adam, “Shifty” Schiff will do anything to reduce Presidential powers under this President. Every President thereafter has their powers reduced. Everyone should concern themselves with that. You Libs had no problem when, according to Wikipedia, Clinton pardoned Marc Rich: “Marc Rich (born Marcell David Reich; December 18, 1934 – June 26, 2013) was an international commodities trader, hedge fund manager, financier and businessman.[1] He was best known for receiving a pardon by former President Clinton in the United States from federal charges related to violating sanctions against his oil and commodity trades with Iran. He was in Switzerland at the time of the indictment and never returned to the United States.[2] He received a presidential pardon from U.S. President Bill Clinton on January 20, 2001, Clinton's last day in office.[3] His wife Denise had made large contributions to the Democratic Party, to Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign, and to the Clinton Library foundation during Bill Clinton's presidency.” The only corruption here, is the morally bankrupt souls of the Democrat Party. So Shifty, stop trying to diminish the powers of the Presidency. You lost. Pull up your big boy knickers and get over it.
    Like (27)
    Follow
    Share
    Thelma's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    We must restore the dignity of the American presidency. The president should not have the option to pardon people for crimes in which he or she either participated in, or benefited from. If, unfortunately, a bill must be passed to protect our country from corruption, so be it.
    Like (77)
    Follow
    Share
    MinnesotaMom's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    Promising a pardon to your coconspirators is a form of corruption. It corrupts the presidency. This bill guards us from the possibility of a corrupt president. No honest president need fear this bill.
    Like (74)
    Follow
    Share
    Mark's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    The United States has relied on established norms and the honor of our presidents to prevent the abuse of the presidential pardon. After the pardon of Arpaio and Libby, along with the many inappropriate, unfounded statements from Donald J Trump it should be apparent to every American, despite political affiliation, that we must aggressively protect the checks and balances our forefathers created. We cannot allow for a precedent to be set whereby a President can pardon his friends, family or associates because of who they are or what they may say to incriminate him.
    Like (53)
    Follow
    Share
    Victoria 's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    It’s a shame that our democracy has sunk to the point were a bill like this needs to be passed... but it does. 
    Like (41)
    Follow
    Share
    Diane's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW Pardons should not be used to avoid consequences of actions by 45, his family or his cronies. If they are pardoned from punishment, all information resulting from any investigation should be released to the public. Accepting a pardon is legally admission of guilt. Those who do things that qualify for pardons should at least be accountable to the public for their actions through release of all data arising from any investigation that leads to indictment and pardon. THESE PROPLE ARE SUPPOSEDLY SERVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. If they have wrongfully benefitted from that service the public has a right to know the details.
    Like (36)
    Follow
    Share
    Karen's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    This Administration is so corrupt that we need a law to prevent him from pardoning those who conspired against America? Indeed we do. The GOP is trying to replace our 3 branch system of Government with the Unified Republican Government (Ryan) and will stop at nothing to achieve that goal.
    Like (27)
    Follow
    Share
    JTJ's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/29/2018
    No. You all supported the Obamas and the Clintons, yet you call Trump corrupt? That is hysterical.
    Like (26)
    Follow
    Share
    M's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    Don't reward a corrupt administration. A President offering to pardon one of his corrupt cronies in return for not incriminating him is blatant obstruction of justice. Pass this bill and protect American Democracy. ....,,,,,or don't pass it and just start planting a banana tree plantation on the White House lawn!
    Like (23)
    Follow
    Share
    A.B.'s Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    I doubt that the founders of the nation thought that this power would be abused. Now we have to clarify.
    Like (20)
    Follow
    Share
    Ben's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    From how it reads, this doesn’t limit the Presidents pardon powers, it just gives the people more insight into who is pardoned. I see zero wrong with that. I’d take it a step further and do the same for every pardon regardless of whether the President or his family has tied to them or not.
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    BradSmith's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/29/2018
    Anything to interfere with the current President seems to be the focus of some members of the Congress. How about sticking to your Article I responsibility.
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    Christina's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    The president shouldn’t be able to pardon people in connection with investigations in which s/he or a family member is a target, subject, or witness. If they try to, Congress should have access to evidence from the investigation.
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    Jim's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    Just Because he’s the President doesn’t mean he’s above the law.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    Starletta 's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    I am so tired of the layers of do something for me and I’ll do something for you in government. We need full transparency and for elected officials to serve with a true desire to create a safe, strong and fair country for everyone.
    Like (10)
    Follow
    Share
    Alison's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    Why do we have presidential pardons anyway? If somebody has done something wrong, they should pay the price... including presidents. NO ONE should be above the law!!!
    Like (10)
    Follow
    Share
    Kag49601's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/29/2018
    A pardon is a pardon. Live with it lefties! No one was complaining when Obama pardoned actual criminals though, right??
    Like (10)
    Follow
    Share
    singinghawk926's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/07/2018
    A stopgap measure, but the idea aims at the right target! We must be careful about interfering with the intent of the Constitution, however, as it’s limitations on the power of the President can be used by any powerful elements in either party, and unbalancing that power can create more problems for our democratic republic. I’m from the less-is-more school of legislation of all types!
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    Mary's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    04/29/2018
    This is absolutely necessary. I expect my Republican House Rep to add his name to the list of co sponsors.
    Like (9)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE