H.R. 8831: Protecting Our Democracy Act
Sponsor
Jamie Raskin
Democrat · MD-8
Bill Progress
Latest Action · May 14, 2026
Referred to Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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. for review
Presidents shouldn't police themselves
Why it matters
A president who pardons an ally in a covered case could trigger a 30-day document dump to Congress, while other parts of H.R. 8831 set $50,000 fines, a $50,000 inaugural donation cap, and even a $1,000,000 penalty for some unreported foreign election contacts. The bill would put more of the White House, campaigns, and political appointees under explicit disclosure and enforcement rules.
H.R. 8831 is a large democracy and ethics package built around one question: what happens when the president or people close to the president test the edges of the law? The bill's answer is more disclosure, more enforceable deadlines, and more direct penalties.
One major piece covers pardons and criminal exposure. If a president issues a pardon in a covered case, the Attorney General would have 30 days to send related Justice Department materials to key members of Congress. The bill also says self-pardons have no legal effect, and it says time spent serving as president or vice president would not count against the clock for federal criminal cases.
Another piece targets money and conflicts. H.R. 8831 would bar the president, vice president, and Cabinet members from entering into federal contracts. It would also create penalties for prohibited foreign or government-linked benefits the bill describes as emoluments, with civil penalties that can exceed the value of the payment and criminal fines that can reach $50,000 or the full value involved.
The bill also reaches into campaigns and oversight. Inaugural committees could only take money from individuals, with a $50,000 cap per donor, and donations over $1,000 would have to be reported within 24 hours. Political committees would have to notify the FBI within 1 week about certain foreign contacts, and large online platforms would have to keep public files on some political ads.
Congressional oversight is another big target. The bill would let Congress go to court more directly to enforce subpoenas, require privilege logs when the executive branch withholds information, and impose penalties on some officials who refuse to comply unless the president orders noncompliance in writing. It also expands Hatch Act penalties and applies those restrictions to the president and vice president on federal property.
H.R. 8831 Bill Summary
What H.R. 8831 actually does.
Congress gets pardon records within 30 days
If a president grants a pardon in a covered case, the Attorney General would have to send related prosecution and Justice Department materials to key congressional committee leaders within 30 days.
Serving in office no longer runs out the criminal clock
Time spent as president or vice president would not count toward the deadline for bringing a federal criminal case. The bill is designed to stop someone from avoiding prosecution simply by remaining in office.
Presidential pardons can count in bribery cases
The bill says the president and vice president are covered as public officials under federal bribery law, and it treats pardons, commutations, and reprieves as things of value for that analysis.
Foreign-linked benefits bring civil and criminal penalties
The bill defines emoluments broadly and lets Congress sue over alleged violations. Penalties can include civil fines up to $5,000 above the retail value of the payment and criminal fines of $50,000 or the full value involved, plus up to 1 year in prison.
Big inaugural donors face a hard cap
Inaugural committees could not take money from corporations or other non-individuals, and foreign nationals would be barred. Individual donors would be capped at $50,000, and gifts over $1,000 would have to be disclosed within 24 hours.
Campaigns must report some foreign contacts fast
Political committees would have to notify the FBI within 1 week about certain reportable foreign contacts involving contributions or coordination. The bill also creates major penalties for some knowing failures to report.
Subpoenas get a clearer path to court
Congress would get explicit authority to file civil suits to enforce subpoenas, and executive branch officials withholding material would have to provide privilege logs explaining what they are keeping back.
Who benefits from H.R. 8831?
Voters who want presidential actions documented
If a covered pardon is issued, Congress could get the underlying Justice Department record within 30 days instead of waiting indefinitely to learn what happened behind closed doors.
People worried about foreign money in politics
Campaigns would have to report certain foreign contacts within 1 week, inaugural committees would face tighter donor rules, and very large online platforms would have to keep public political ad files.
Congressional investigators and oversight staff
They would get a more direct route to court when subpoenas are ignored and written privilege logs when agencies refuse to turn over records.
Ethics watchdogs and whistleblowers
The bill expands conflict-of-interest restrictions, creates clearer penalties in several areas, and adds protections around whistleblower complaints and related investigations.
Who is affected by H.R. 8831?
Presidents and vice presidents
They would face tighter rules on pardons, political activity on federal property, and potential criminal exposure after leaving office because time in office would not count toward federal filing deadlines.
Cabinet members and senior executive officials
They could not enter into federal contracts, and some would face stricter recusal and disclosure expectations tied to past employers or financial interests.
Political appointees and agency heads
Knowing Hatch Act violations could bring up to $50,000 in civil penalties, and some violations could also carry criminal fines and up to 1 year in prison. Agency heads who ignore subpoenas could also face monetary penalties in some cases.
Campaign committees, inaugural committees, and large platforms
They would have to change compliance systems: faster reporting to the FBI, tighter donor screening, 24-hour donation disclosures for gifts over $1,000, and public files for certain political ads on platforms with at least 50 million monthly visitors.
Former presidents convicted of certain felonies
They could lose their monetary allowance and transition funds, though Secret Service protection would remain.
HR8831 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
May 14, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
About the Sponsor
Jamie Raskin
Democrat, Maryland's 8th congressional district · 9 years in Congress
Committees: the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors (108)
All 108 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 33 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 30 more.
Robert Garcia
Democrat · CA
Joseph Morelle
Democrat · NY
Gabe Amo
Democrat · RI
Yassamin Ansari
Democrat · AZ
Becca Balint
Democrat · VT
Nanette Barragán
Democrat · CA
Joyce Beatty
Democrat · OH
Wesley Bell
Democrat · MO
Donald Beyer
Democrat · VA
Brendan Boyle
Democrat · PA
Julia Brownley
Democrat · CA
Salud Carbajal
Democrat · CA
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee
6 of 27 committee members cosponsored
Ways and Means Committee
10 of 45 committee members cosponsored
Foreign Affairs Committee
14 of 53 committee members cosponsored
Rules Committee
2 of 13 committee members cosponsored
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
19 of 67 committee members cosponsored
Budget Committee
8 of 37 committee members cosponsored
Committee on House Administration
3 of 12 committee members cosponsored
Judiciary Committee
11 of 44 committee members cosponsored
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
17 of 47 committee members cosponsored
50 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 8831 change?
16 changes
Sections Amended
Section 304 of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended-- (A) by striking subsection (h); and (B) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (h). (2) Section 309(a)(4)(C)(iv)(I)
striking ``or (i)'' and inserting ``or (h)''
Section 1365a of title 28 and section 105 of the Revised Statutes shall apply to such a request in the same manner as such sections 1365a and 105 apply to a subpoena.''. TITLE XXII--REASSERTING CONGRESSIONAL POWER OF THE PURSE SEC. 2201. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Congressional Power of the Purse Act''. Subtitle A--Strengthening Congressional Control and Review To Prevent Impoundment SEC. 2221. STRENGTHENING CONGRESSIONAL CONTROL. (a) In General.--Part B of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 682 et seq.)
adding at the end the following: ``prudent obligation of budget authority and specific requirements for expiring budget authority ``Sec
Section 1(b) of such Act
inserting after the item relating to section 1017 the following: ``Sec
Section 1016 of Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 687)
read as follows: ``suits by comptroller general ``Sec
Section 401 of National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1641)
adding at the end the following: ``(d) Report on Emergencies
Section 3 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 3003)
adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(8) The term `covered Inspector General' means each of the following: ``(A) The Inspector General of the Intelligence Community
Sections Repealed
203 of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: ``(c)(1) The authority granted to the President by this section does not include the authority to impose duties or tariff-rate quotas or (subject to paragraph (2)) other quotas on articles entering the United States. ``(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) does not prohibit the President from excluding all articles imported from a country from entering the United States.''. (d) Conforming Amendment.--Title III of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631)
110 of Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note)
H.R. 8831 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Intelligence (Permanent Select)
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- May 14, 2026
Referred to Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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. for review
May 14, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with text, sponsors, actions, committees, and status for the Protecting Our Democracy Act.
Relevant to the bill's pardon disclosure provisions and questions about presidential pardon procedures.
Official congressional constitution resource explaining the Foreign Emoluments Clause, central to the bill's emoluments penalties.
The bill treats presidents and vice presidents as covered public officials under federal bribery law and links pardons to that framework.
Provides official Justice Department information on foreign influence and disclosure, relevant to the bill's election-interference provisions.
Official oversight reference relevant to the bill's subpoena enforcement and executive privilege log provisions.
H.R. 8831 Common Questions
Can a president pardon themselves under H.R. 8831?
No. H.R. 8831 says a presidential self-pardon would have no legal effect. That is the bill's rule, though courts would likely decide how far Congress can go if it ever faced a real case.
How fast would Congress get records after a presidential pardon?
Within 30 days for a covered pardon. The Attorney General would have to send related prosecution and Justice Department materials to key congressional committee leaders.
Does H.R. 8831 stop the clock on federal crimes while someone is president?
Yes. Time served as president or vice president would not count toward the deadline for bringing a federal criminal case, so a term in office would not run out that clock.
What would H.R. 8831 do to inaugural donations?
It would bar donations from non-individuals and foreign nationals, cap individual gifts at $50,000, and require reports within 24 hours for donations over $1,000.
How much are the penalties for illegal foreign emoluments?
H.R. 8831 allows civil penalties up to $5,000 above the payment's retail value. Criminal penalties can include up to 1 year in prison and a fine of $50,000 or the full value involved.
Would campaigns have to report foreign election contacts to the FBI?
Yes. Political committees would have to notify the FBI within 1 week about certain reportable foreign contacts. Some knowing failures to report could bring fines up to $1,000,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
Does H.R. 8831 ban federal contracts for presidents and Cabinet members?
Yes. The bill says the president, vice president, and Cabinet members could not enter into contracts with the federal government.
What changes for Hatch Act violations under H.R. 8831?
The bill raises civil penalties for political appointees to as much as $50,000 and adds criminal penalties for some knowing violations, including up to 1 year in prison.
Based on H.R. 8831 bill text
H.R. 8831 Bill Text
“To protect our democracy by preventing abuses of Presidential power, restoring checks and balances and accountability and transparency in government, and defending elections against foreign interference, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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