Bill · S. 256· Senate(119-S-256)
Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/25/2025
- Last activity
- 1/25/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to increase transparency regarding presidential executive clemency. It requires the President to publish a written explanation for any grant of pardons, commutations, or reprieves in the Federal Register and on the official presidential website. The bill tasks the Pardon Attorney with preparing a Justice Impact Statement that includes efforts to contact victims and determine the opinions of law enforcement officials. Additionally, it introduces new disclosure requirements for lobbying activities related to potential executive clemency. Finally, the Pardon Attorney is required to conduct periodic studies on compliance with this Act.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+8
The bill mandates that the President publish written explanations for pardons and increases disclosure requirements for lobbying.
Does this change how police departments operate?+2
The bill requires the Pardon Attorney to solicit opinions from law enforcement officials regarding the impact of clemency on investigations.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+1
The bill increases transparency regarding lobbying efforts related to executive clemency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Presidential Accountability: The President must now publish a written explanation of the reasons for granting executive clemency in the Federal Register and on their official website (Section 3).
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Victim Inclusion and Voice: The Pardon Attorney is required to make reasonable efforts to inform victims of a crime about potential clemency and gather their written statements for a Justice Impact Statement (Section 4(c)(1)).
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Law Enforcement Input: The bill requires the Pardon Attorney to determine the opinions of the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other law enforcement officials regarding how clemency might impact ongoing investigations or prosecutions (Section 4(c)(3)).
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Lobbying Transparency: The Act amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act to ensure that lobbying contacts regarding executive clemency are registered and reported, providing more information on these activities (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Administrative Burden for the Pardon Attorney: The Pardon Attorney is tasked with preparing Justice Impact Statements, contacting victims, and conducting studies on compliance every two years (Section 4 and Section 6).
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New Requirements for Lobbyists: Individuals or organizations engaged in lobbying for executive clemency must now register and file reports within 2 days of a contact, regardless of total income or expenses (Section 5).
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+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+1
- 1/25/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.