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119-s-256119th Congress

Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Greater transparency and accountability for presidential clemency. This bill would require public explanations when the President grants pardons, commutations, reprieves, or fine remissions, expand victims' participation in the review process, and tighten lobbying disclosure rules for clemency-related advocacy.

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  • Victims: Would require the Pardon Attorney to reach out to victims, let them submit written statements, and record victims' views in a Justice Impact Statement using the "victim" definition from the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990.
  • Pardon Attorney and law enforcement: The Pardon Attorney must prepare a Justice Impact Statement as soon as clemency is being considered, make it available to the President and Congress within 30 days, note efforts to contact victims, and assess impacts on ongoing investigations; the statement must be completed even if filed after a grant.
  • Lobbyists and clients: Would treat a clemency grant as a lobbying activity and require registration and a disclosure report no later than 2 days after the first clemency-related contact, regardless of income or share of services devoted to lobbying.

This bill also mandates biannual compliance studies starting 180 days after enactment and annual reports to Congress with findings and recommendations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Biannual compliance studies by Pardon Attorney

If enacted, the Pardon Attorney would start a study on compliance 180 days after enactment and run the study every other year. If enacted, the Pardon Attorney would send Congress a report for each study with findings and recommendations by April 1 the year after a study finishes.

More clemency transparency and victim input

If enacted, the bill would define "executive clemency" to include pardons, commutations, reprieves, and remission of fines. If enacted, the bill would use the Victims' Rights Act definition of "victim." If enacted, the Pardon Attorney would prepare a Justice Impact Statement when aware of a possible clemency grant and give it to the President and Congress within 30 days. If enacted, DOJ and Executive Office employees who learn clemency is being considered must tell the Pardon Attorney right away. If enacted, the President would publish a written explanation the day clemency is granted in the Federal Register and on the presidential website.

Tighter lobbying rules for clemency

If enacted, the bill would expand federal lobbying rules to cover efforts about potential clemency grants. If enacted, lobbyists or their employers must register within 2 days after the first clemency-related contact or retention, no matter income or expenses. If enacted, registered lobbyists must file a report within 2 days after a clemency-related lobbying contact with details of the activity.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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