Bill · H.J.Res. 13· House(119-HJRES-13)
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States limiting the pardon power of the President.
- Introduced
- 1/9/2025
- Last activity
- 1/9/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Steve Cohen
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to limit the President's pardon and reprieve power. It aims to prevent the President from granting pardons to themselves or specific groups of people. These restricted groups include family members, administration members, and paid campaign employees. Additionally, it limits pardons for offenses involving personal interests or actions taken at the President's direction. Finally, the resolution states that any pardon issued for a corrupt purpose would be invalid.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill increases integrity by prohibiting pardons based on personal interests, family connections, or political campaign service.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+3
The bill seeks to prevent the corrupt use of the pardon power, which protects the integrity of legal outcomes.
Does this change how police departments operate?+3
The bill restricts the President's ability to pardon administration members or campaign employees, which promotes accountability in the justice system.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Limits conflict of interest: By preventing the President from pardoning themselves, their family members up to a third degree, or members of their administration, the bill limits the ability of the President to use the power for personal or familial benefit (Section 1, subsections 1, 2, and 3).
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Protects against campaign-related influence: The bill prevents the President from pardoning paid employees who worked on their presidential campaign (Section 1, subsection 4).
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Prevents misuse of power for personal gain: The provision prevents pardons for offenses motivated by the direct or significant personal or money-related interests of the President, their family, or administration (Section 1, subsection 5).
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Addresses coordinated offenses: It restricts the power to pardon people or entities for offenses that were done at the direction of, or in coordination with, the President (Section 1, subsection 6).
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Ensures integrity of the pardon: The amendment would render any pardon issued for a corrupt purpose invalid (Section 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are identified in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Due Process+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+3
- 1/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia