A Democratic bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "No Payoffs for Pardons Act" aims to reform executive clemency by introducing strict disclosure requirements. It mandates that individuals receiving pardons or commutations report any "covered benefits" provided to the President, their family, or related entities. The bill also updates federal bribery statutes to include the President, Vice President, and political candidates regarding official acts like granting clemency. Additionally, it extends the statute of limitations for bribery offenses related to executive clemency to ten years. This legislation is intended to address concerns regarding the potential misuse of the pardon power for political or financial gain.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates public financial disclosures for clemency recipients and creates a searchable database to increase transparency.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal oversight and criminal statute applications regarding the executive clemency process.
- Scored +5
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill increases transparency and potential legal risks for those providing benefits to secure clemency, acting as a check on political lobbying for pardons.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill imposes new financial disclosure requirements on individuals receiving clemency, reducing their financial privacy.
- Scored -4
Would high-income households be better off under this?
The bill increases scrutiny and legal obligations for high-income individuals seeking clemency.
- Scored -4
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
The bill imposes strict disclosure and potential criminal penalties on high-net-worth individuals providing benefits for clemency.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency for Clemency Recipients: Individuals who receive a pardon or commutation must file disclosure reports with the Attorney General, providing details on any benefits given to covered recipients. This could help the public understand potential connections between clemency and political or financial contributions (Section 3(b)).
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Public Access to Information: The Attorney General is required to make all disclosure reports publicly available on a searchable, machine-readable website. This allows citizens to monitor potential influences on the clemency process (Section 3(d)).
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Strengthened Anti-Corruption Measures: By updating the federal bribery statute, the bill includes the President, Vice President, and political candidates under the scope of bribery laws regarding official acts like granting clemency. This is intended to address the "weaponization" of the pardon power (Section 4(a)).
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Extended Time for Prosecution: The bill extends the statute of limitations for bribery offenses related to executive clemency to 10 years. This provides a longer window to investigate and prosecute corrupt arrangements involving the granting or promising of pardons (Section 4(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burdens on Clemency Recipients: Individuals receiving clemency face significant civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation if they fail to file reports or file inaccurate ones. Additionally, those who willfully fail to report or file false reports can face fines and up to 5 years in prison (Section 3(e)).
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Administrative Burden for Legal Representation: While bona fide legal services are excepted, any payments that include elements of lobbying or advice related to seeking clemency must be specifically allocated and documented, which may create extra work for recipients and their counsel (Section 3(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates public financial disclosures for clemency recipients and creates a searchable database to increase transparency. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight and criminal statute applications regarding the executive clemency process. Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill increases transparency and potential legal risks for those providing benefits to secure clemency, acting as a check on political lobbying for pardons. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill aims to ensure the clemency process is based on merit rather than financial influence, promoting more equitable treatment. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill imposes new financial disclosure requirements on individuals receiving clemency, reducing their financial privacy.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By targeting corruption among the wealthy, the bill aims to level the playing field for ordinary petitioners. Would billionaires be better off under this? — The bill imposes higher standards of transparency and legal risk for wealthy political benefactors. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill increases scrutiny and legal obligations for high-income individuals seeking clemency. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The bill imposes strict disclosure and potential criminal penalties on high-net-worth individuals providing benefits for clemency. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — The bill creates more legal and financial scrutiny for ultra-wealthy individuals in the clemency process.
- 10/1/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 9/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- 8/3/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
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.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Glenn IveyDemocrat · Maryland
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon