# 119-s-256: Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025

119-s-256, Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-CT); status introduced (as of 2026-08-07).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-256
- As of: 2026-08-07
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-256
- Congress: 119
- Title: Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-01-25
- Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-CT)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-07

## 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. - 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.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Biannual compliance studies by Pardon Attorney: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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 possibl…
- Tighter lobbying rules for clemency: cost, low. 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…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-256 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/256)

## Related
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-256 (as of 2026-08-07).