Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ron Kind voted for the Protecting Our Democracy Act. This comprehensive package will strengthen our system of checks and balances, enhance accountability and transparency, and safeguard our elections from foreign interference.
“The framers of our Constitution made sure to include a system of Checks and Balances in order to keep our democracy strong,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “This legislation will ensure we continue to uphold this responsibility today and enhance safeguards to restore faith in government integrity and transparency.”
The Protecting our Democracy Act will:
- Address Checks and Balances, Accountability, and Transparency
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- Authorizes specified actions to help enforce congressional subpoenas
- Imposes limits on presidential declarations of emergencies
- 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
- Establishes penalties for political appointees who engage in prohibited political activities
- Protect Against Foreign Interference in our Elections
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- Requires federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts
- Requires federal campaigns to establish a foreign compliance policy
- Clarifies that the definition of a “thing of value” in the Federal Election Campaign Act prohibition on foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates includes information sought or obtained for political advantage
- Prevent Presidential Abuses
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- Prohibits self-pardons by the President
- Ensures no President is above the law by suspending the statute of limitations for federal offenses committed by a sitting President or Vice President
- Codifies the Constitution’s Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses by prohibiting federal officials from accepting foreign emoluments without Congressional consent and prohibiting the President from accepting domestic emoluments and provides enhanced enforcement mechanisms for Congress and entities within the Executive Branch
