Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Presidential Pardon Integrity Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary under authority of the order of the Senate of 09/30/2026.
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
This bill is known as the Presidential Pardon Integrity Act. It sets up an official Office of the Pardon Attorney inside the Department of Justice to handle executive clemency requests. The bill requires people who receive executive clemency and those who lobby for it to disclose valuable gifts, lobbying details, and financial contributions. It also ensures that victims of certain crimes are notified when someone applies for or receives clemency. Finally, the bill gives crime victims a clear path in court to collect unpaid restitution even if the offender receives clemency.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates public reporting of executive clemency grants, reasons, and associated gifts or lobbying disclosures via an online portal.
- Scored +6
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill requires paid clemency representatives to publicly disclose contacts, gifts, and compensation.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill establishes a formal Office of the Pardon Attorney within the Department of Justice and imposes federal reporting rules and civil penalties.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Victim Notification: Under Section 4(c)(2), victims of felony offenses are given the right to be notified when a convicted person applies for clemency, to submit comments about the clemency request, and to learn whether the request is granted or denied. This gives victims a voice and keeps them informed.
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Protecting Crime Victims' Financial Rights: Under Section 7, people who are owed restitution by someone who receives a presidential pardon can sue in federal court to get their money. This ensures that offenders cannot completely escape paying what they owe to victims just because they received clemency.
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Transparency in Government: Under Section 5 and Section 6, individuals who receive clemency and those who are paid to lobby for it must publicly disclose gifts, donations, and lobbying payments. This holds our elected officials and connected individuals accountable to the public by shining a light on potential conflicts of interest.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Burdensome Reporting Rules: Under Section 5 and Section 6, individuals granted clemency and paid clemency representatives must navigate strict reporting rules and online portals to disclose financial details and communications. Failing to follow these rules can result in heavy civil penalties of up to $5,000 for recipients and up to $200,000 for representatives.
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 reporting of executive clemency grants, reasons, and associated gifts or lobbying disclosures via an online portal. Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill requires paid clemency representatives to publicly disclose contacts, gifts, and compensation. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a formal Office of the Pardon Attorney within the Department of Justice and imposes federal reporting rules and civil penalties.
- 10/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary under authority of the order of the Senate of 09/30/2026.
- Introduced in Senate