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119-hjres-13119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States limiting the pardon power of the President.

Sponsored By: Representative Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

Introduced

Summary

Limits presidential clemency by barring the President from granting pardons or reprieves in a set of specific situations. This amendment would stop pardons for the President themself, close relatives up to the third degree and their spouses, current or former members of the President's administration, paid campaign employees, anyone who acted for the President's direct and significant personal or financial interest, and anyone who committed an offense at the President's direction or in coordination with the President. Any pardon issued for a corrupt purpose would be invalid.

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  • Families: Prevents the President from pardoning the President themself and relatives through the third degree and their spouses. This directly constrains pardons tied to family relationships.
  • Officials and campaign workers: Bars pardons for current or former administration officials and for paid campaign staff. This targets people closely tied to the President's official or campaign operations.
  • Corrupt or directed actions: Invalidates pardons for offenses motivated by the President's personal or financial gain or done at the President's direction or coordination. This aims to stop pardons that cover misconduct linked to the President.
  • Enforcement and ratification: Gives Congress power to enforce the new rule by law and makes the amendment part of the Constitution when ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New limits on presidential pardons

If enacted, this constitutional amendment would limit who a President could pardon or reprieve. It would ban self-pardons and pardons for relatives up to the third degree and their spouses. It would also ban pardons for current or former administration members and paid campaign employees. Pardons for a person or entity would be barred if the crime was done at the President’s direction or in coordination with the President, or if it served a direct and significant personal or money interest of the President or covered associates. Any pardon for a “corrupt purpose” would be invalid; that term is not defined. Congress would be able to pass laws to enforce these limits. It would take effect only if three-fourths of state legislatures ratify it.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

TN • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 1/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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