HR-5048 : Still Just a Bill


The Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 5048) is a comprehensive bill aimed at reinforcing democratic institutions and preventing abuses of power. Key provisions include:

  • Preventing Presidential Abuse:
    • Limits the pardon power by requiring Congressional oversight of pardons related to presidential investigations.
    • Prevents presidential self-pardons.
    • Tolls the statute of limitations for offenses committed by a President or Vice President during their tenure.
  • Restoring Checks and Balances:
    • Strengthens Congress's ability to enforce subpoenas.
    • Enhances Congressional power over the budget, including oversight of emergency declarations and spending.
    • Protects whistleblowers from retaliation and ensures their ability to report concerns to Congress.
  • Ensuring Accountability and Transparency:
    • Requires communication logs between the Department of Justice and the Executive Office of the President.
    • Clarifies the application of the Vacancies Reform Act.
    • Mandates transparency in presidential and vice-presidential tax filings.
  • Defending Elections:
    • Requires reporting of foreign contacts by campaigns.
    • Clarifies the ban on foreign money in elections, including online advertising.
    • Imposes disclosure requirements for online political advertisements.
  • Limiting Political Interference and Patronage:
    • Prevents the use of federal property for political conventions.
    • Limits the ability to move career civil service positions into excepted service for political purposes.
    • Enhances Hatch Act enforcement and penalties against political appointees.

H.R. 5048 was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to multiple committees, including Oversight and Accountability, Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2023-07-28CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.House committee actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.House floor actions
2023-07-27IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Adam B. Schiff [D] (CA)
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
Related Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Administrative remedies
  • Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
  • Budget process
  • Business ethics
  • Business records
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Congressional committees
  • Congressional elections
  • Congressional-executive branch relations
  • Congressional oversight
  • Constitution and constitutional amendments
  • Contracts and agency
  • Criminal procedure and sentencing
  • Digital media
  • Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
  • Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
  • Emergency planning and evacuation
  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Family relationships
  • Federal district courts
  • Federal officials
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Freedom of information
  • Government buildings, facilities, and property
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • Judicial procedure and administration
  • Jurisdiction and venue
  • Labor standards
  • Legal fees and court costs
  • Legislative rules and procedure
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Members of Congress
  • News media and reporting
  • Personnel records
  • Political advertising
  • Political parties and affiliation
  • Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
  • Protection of officials
  • Public participation and lobbying
  • Right of privacy
  • State and local government operations
  • Subversive activities
  • Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
  • Television and film
  • Travel and tourism
Related Geographic Entities
Related Organizations
  • Federal Election Commission (FEC)
  • Merit Systems Protection Board
  • Office of Government Ethics
  • Office of Special Counsel