CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STOP "PAY-TO-PLAY" PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle introduced the House companion to the No Payoffs For Pardons Act, legislation to increase transparency and accountability in the presidential pardon process and help prevent presidents from exchanging clemency for financial or political favors. The legislation would require recipients of presidential pardons to disclose significant financial gifts connected to their clemency and clarify that federal bribery laws apply to the President and Vice President.

"The most corrupt President this country has ever seen only seeks to serve himself and his billionaire friends," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "Far too many Americans are struggling to provide the basics for their families because the cost of Donald Trump's corruption has been brought right to their kitchen table. The American people deserve to know whether the President is abusing the pardon power for personal gain and betraying the public's trust. That's exactly what the No Payoffs For Pardons Act will help expose."

The Constitution grants presidents broad authority to issue pardons as a safeguard against injustice—not as a tool for personal enrichment or political favoritism. Yet President Trump has repeatedly used the clemency power to benefit political allies, wealthy associates, and well-connected individuals while bypassing the traditional Justice Department review process. 

The No Payoffs For Pardons Act would:

• Require recipients of presidential pardons or commutations to disclose covered financial gifts made in connection with their clemency at the time it is granted and for four years afterward;
• Clarify that federal bribery laws apply to the President and Vice President in matters involving executive clemency;
• Establish a 10-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses involving the granting, withholding, or promising of presidential pardons. 

Congressman Morelle introduced the legislation alongside Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Richard Blumenthal, who introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The bill is supported by Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen, Protect Democracy, the Center for American Progress, and Democracy Defenders Action.

This legislation builds on Congressman Morelle's ongoing work to strengthen government accountability and ensure no president is above the law. Earlier this year, Morelle joined Ranking Members Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia in introducing the Protecting Our Democracy Act, comprehensive legislation to strengthen oversight, increase transparency, and crack down on corruption throughout the federal government.

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