Aucun Américain n’est au-dessus des lois, pas même le président. Mais l’administration Trump nous a appris que les lois existantes ne suffisent pas à empêcher les abus de la fonction présidentielle. Nous avons besoin de garde-fous solides sous forme de lois. Nous avons besoin de la loi Protecting Our Democracy Act pour renforcer les freins et contrepoids aux pouvoirs de la présidence tout en créant de nouveaux mécanismes de transparence et de responsabilité.

This comprehensive legislation introduced today will curb the widespread and regular abuses of power we saw during the Trump presidency. Under the Protecting Our Democracy Act future presidents will not be able to harness the powers of their office to target political opponents, solicit foreign interference in our elections, promise self-serving pardons, and enrich themselves or their friends and family. The bill includes provisions to strengthen protections for federal whistleblowers and inspectors general, promote orderly presidential transitions between administrations, strengthen the Hatch Act, and protect the Justice Department from political interference from the White House. It requires campaigns to report foreign interference in elections, and mandates that the president, vice president, and major party candidates make public recent tax returns. The bill also provides new tools to Congress to efficiently enforce subpoenas.

The American people expect and deserve accountability from their President. The Protecting Our Democracy Act will deliver that regardless of the person or their party affiliation. We commend Chairman Adam Schiff for his leadership sponsoring and introducing this bill.

This legislation represents a huge step forward for the people and for accountability in government and we urge its swift passage.

Common Cause will score this legislation again in our next Tableau de bord de la démocratie.