A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4409-4410; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4409-4410)
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 financial disclosure requirements. It requires individuals receiving clemency to report any "covered benefits" provided to the President, their family, or associated entities. These reports must be submitted to the Attorney General and made available to the public. The bill also updates federal bribery statutes to include the President, Vice President, and political candidates. Additionally, it establishes civil and criminal penalties for failing to comply with disclosure rules.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates public disclosure of financial benefits related to clemency recipients.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal oversight and criminal penalties regarding the executive clemency process.
- Scored +3
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill increases disclosure requirements for benefits that could influence clemency decisions.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
Clemency recipients are subject to new, strict financial disclosure requirements that may impact their privacy.
- Scored -4
Would high-income households be better off under this?
Wealthy individuals seeking clemency face much stricter reporting requirements and potential penalties.
- Scored -4
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
High-net-worth individuals may face significant compliance burdens and civil penalties.
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 reports identifying any significant benefits provided to the President or their affiliates (Section 3(b)). This creates a public record of financial connections related to clemency.
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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 (Section 3(d)). This allows the public to see potential connections between clemency and financial transfers.
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Expanded Bribery Protections: The bill updates bribery statutes to include the President, Vice President, and political candidates, specifically including the granting of clemency as an official act (Section 4(a)). This aims to address the potential for corruption in the exercise of executive power.
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Longer Prosecution Windows for Clemency-Related Bribery: The law extends the period in which a person can be prosecuted for bribery offenses related to the granting or offering of clemency to 10 years (Section 4(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burdens and Penalties for Recipients: Clemency recipients face significant civil penalties of up to $50,000 for failing to file reports or providing incomplete information (Section 3(e)). They also face criminal penalties, including fines and up to five years in prison, for willful violations (Section 3(e)).
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Complex Compliance Requirements: Recipients must navigate detailed rules regarding "covered benefits" and "disclosure periods," which may include allocating payments between legal services and clemency-related advocacy (Section 3(c)).
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Administrative Responsibility: The Attorney General is tasked with creating new online portals, prescribing forms, and maintaining a searchable website to handle the influx of disclosure reports (Section 3(d)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to level the playing field between ordinary petitioners and well-connected individuals. Would billionaires be better off under this? — The bill increases transparency for large-scale financial benefits used to influence political outcomes. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Wealthy individuals seeking clemency face much stricter reporting requirements and potential penalties. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — High-net-worth individuals may face significant compliance burdens and civil penalties. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the ability of well-connected/wealthy individuals to influence clemency.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates public disclosure of financial benefits related to clemency recipients. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight and criminal penalties regarding the executive clemency process. Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill increases disclosure requirements for benefits that could influence clemency decisions. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill seeks to ensure more equitable application of clemency by targeting corruption. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Clemency recipients are subject to new, strict financial disclosure requirements that may impact their privacy.
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4409-4410; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4409-4410)
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont