House Passes Bill Intended To Curb Presidential Abuses Of Power

J. Williams December 1, 2021 Political News Leave a comment

On Thursday, the House voted mostly among party lines to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which addresses presidential abuses of power and reinforces the checks and balances between the branches of government.

The vote was 220-208, with Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger being to sole Republican to vote along with all Democrats.

The bill’s fate in the Senate is unclear, as it would need 60 votes in order to pass.

The Protecting Our Democracy Act would require presidents, vice presidents and anyone running for those offices from a major political party to disclose their tax returns. It also would toughen the fines for executive branch officials who violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits nearly all such employees from engaging in campaign activities in their official capacity.

The bill’s backers also say it would help shield federal government whistleblowers, insulate the Justice Department from political interference, strengthen congressional subpoena power and  prohibit a president from giving self-pardons.

California Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation echoes changes that were made following the Nixon presidency.
“Just as after Watergate Congress worked to enact reforms, so we must now examine the cracks in the Democratic foundation and address them,” he said.
In a press conference after the bill passed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill “ensures the strength and survival of a democracy of, by and for the people, defending the rule of law, revitalizing our system of checks and balances and restoring our democratic institutions.”

“This legislation ensures that no one, not even a president, no matter who he or she may be, is above the law,” Pelosi added.
The White House issued a statement of administration policy saying it supported the measure. “Our constitutional structure is designed to preserve democracy and prevent authoritarianism,” the statement said.
“That promise is imperiled when a President places himself above the law, disregards the separation of powers, retaliates against legitimate whistleblowers, allows corruption to take hold, or enables foreign interference in our elections.”

 

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