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Bill117th CongressFiled Sep 21, 2021Government Operations and Politics
H.R. 5314

Protecting Our Democracy Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Dec 9, 2021)

Protecting Our Democracy Act

This bill addresses issues involving (1) abuses of presidential power; (2) checks and balances, accountability, and transparency; and (3) election integrity and security.

Specifically, regarding abuses of presidential power, the bill

  • requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President to submit to Congress specified materials relating to certain pardons,
  • prohibits presidential self-pardons,
  • suspends the statute of limitations for federal offenses committed by a sitting President or Vice President,
  • prohibits the acceptance of foreign or domestic emoluments, and
  • sets forth provisions regarding Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel jurisdiction and enforcement authority.

To address checks and balances, accountability, and transparency, the bill

  • authorizes specified actions to enforce congressional subpoenas,
  • imposes limits on presidential declarations of emergencies,
  • requires DOJ to maintain a log of specified communications between it and the White House,
  • requires cause for removal of inspectors general,
  • increases whistleblower protections, and
  • requires a candidate for President or Vice President to provide copies of tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years to the Federal Election Commission.

To address election integrity and security, the bill

  • requires federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts,
  • makes various changes to requirements concerning foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates and foreign contributions to online electioneering communications,
  • prohibits distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media prior to an election (i.e., deepfakes), and
  • establishes a program to support states and localities transition to ranked choice voting systems.

What just happenedDec 13, 2021

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28](D-CA)Sponsor
168 cosponsors168 D
Read on Congress.gov
168cosponsors9committees33actions4amendments10related bills41subjects
  1. Dec 13, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Dec 9, 2021FloorH38900

    The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5314.

  3. Dec 9, 2021FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Dec 9, 2021FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 440).

  5. Dec 9, 2021Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 440).

  6. Dec 9, 2021FloorH36210

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 217 (Roll no. 439).

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  7. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8A000

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

  8. Dec 9, 2021FloorH36200

    Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. (text: CR H7616)

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  9. Dec 9, 2021FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  10. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. (consideration: CR H7613)

  11. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Ocasio-Cortez amendment No. 25, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  12. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 838, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ocasio-Cortez amendment No. 25.

  13. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney en bloc No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  14. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 838, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney amendment en bloc No. 2.

  15. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  16. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 838, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney amendment en bloc No. 1.

  17. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.R. 5314.

  18. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5314.

  19. Dec 9, 2021FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5314, S. 1605 and S. 610 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule makes in order for the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on certain legislative days.

  20. Dec 9, 2021FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 838. (consideration: CR H7562-7617)

  21. Dec 7, 2021FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 838 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5314, S. 1605 and S. 610 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule makes in order for the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on certain legislative days.

  22. Sep 22, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

    Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee
  23. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Committee on House Administration
  24. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee
  25. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Ways and Means Committee
  26. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  27. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Rules Committee
  28. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  29. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Budget Committee
  30. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  31. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  32. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  33. Sep 21, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseDec 9, 202153

Protecting Our Democracy Act

This bill addresses issues involving (1) abuses of presidential power; (2) checks and balances, accountability, and transparency; and (3) election integrity and security.

Specifically, regarding abuses of presidential power, the bill

  • requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President to submit to Congress specified materials relating to certain pardons,
  • prohibits presidential self-pardons,
  • suspends the statute of limitations for federal offenses committed by a sitting President or Vice President,
  • prohibits the acceptance of foreign or domestic emoluments, and
  • sets forth provisions regarding Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel jurisdiction and enforcement authority.

To address checks and balances, accountability, and transparency, the bill

  • authorizes specified actions to enforce congressional subpoenas,
  • imposes limits on presidential declarations of emergencies,
  • requires DOJ to maintain a log of specified communications between it and the White House,
  • requires cause for removal of inspectors general,
  • increases whistleblower protections, and
  • requires a candidate for President or Vice President to provide copies of tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years to the Federal Election Commission.

To address election integrity and security, the bill

  • requires federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts,
  • makes various changes to requirements concerning foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates and foreign contributions to online electioneering communications,
  • prohibits distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media prior to an election (i.e., deepfakes), and
  • establishes a program to support states and localities transition to ranked choice voting systems.
Introduced in HouseSep 21, 2021

Protecting Our Democracy Act

This bill addresses issues involving (1) abuses of presidential power; (2) checks and balances, accountability, and transparency; and (3) foreign interference in elections.

Specifically, regarding abuses of presidential power, the bill

  • requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President to submit to Congress specified materials relating to certain pardons,
  • prohibits self-pardons by the President,
  • suspends the statute of limitations for federal offenses committed by a sitting President or Vice President,
  • prohibits the acceptance of foreign or domestic emoluments, and
  • sets forth provisions regarding Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel jurisdiction and enforcement authority.

To address checks and balances, accountability, and transparency, the bill

  • authorizes specified actions to enforce congressional subpoenas,
  • imposes limits on presidential declarations of emergencies,
  • requires DOJ to maintain a log of specified communications between it and the White House,
  • requires cause for removal of inspectors general,
  • increases whistleblower protections,
  • requires a candidate for President or Vice President to submit to the Federal Election Commission a copy of the individual's income tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years, and
  • establishes penalties for political appointees who engage in prohibited political activities.

To protect against foreign interference in elections, the bill

  • requires federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts,
  • requires federal campaigns to establish a foreign contacts compliance policy, and
  • specifies that foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates of nonpublic information relating to a candidate are prohibited.
Protecting Our Democracy Act — Informed