Democracy 21 Urges Support For The Protecting Our Democracy Act

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Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer

The serial abuses of power by former President Trump continue to cast a pall over our democracy. We cannot ignore how much damage Trump did to our constitutional system of government and we must ensure that it never happens again.

The Protecting Our Democracy Act, introduced today by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, is a strong and urgently needed package of sweeping democracy reforms to prevent presidential abuses of power, restore our system of checks and balances, strengthen accountability and transparency, and safeguard our elections from foreign interference.

The bill, among other important provisions, would:

  • Suspend the statute of limitations for any federal offense committed by a sitting President or Vice President, whether it was committed before or during their terms in office;
  • Prevent abuse of the presidential pardon power;
  • Protect the Justice Department from political interference;
  • Strengthen Congress’ tools to enforce subpoenas;
  • Strengthen protections for federal whistleblowers and inspectors general;
  • Promote orderly presidential transitions;
  • Strengthen the Hatch Act;
  • Require major party candidates for President and Vice President to make their tax returns public; and
  • Prevent foreign interference in elections.

The dangerous abuses and improper activities of former President Trump and his Administration are a stark reminder of how the presidency can be exploited by bad actors and how important these reform guardrails are to protect our democracy.

The Protecting Our Democracy Act is a complement to H.R. 1, the For the People Act, and H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which have already passed in the House.

The old adage that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it is in play today.

Former President Trump exploited loopholes in the Executive Branch, capitalized on weaknesses in our democracy, and pursued and obtained personal enrichment at the expense of the country.

The Protecting Our Democracy Act is an essential measure to strengthen our democracy, protect against future abuses, and restore trust in our government.

Democracy 21 applauds House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who charged House committee chairs with creating this reform package, and Representative Schiff, the lead sponsor of the bill.

Democracy 21 also applauds the House committee chairs who crafted the legislation along with Representative Schiff. They include: Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Richard Neal (D-MA).

Democracy 21 strongly urges the House to act swiftly to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act.

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