Throughout the presidency of Donald Trump our country wondered how the Constitution could possibly have not prevented the unprecedented corruption and abuses of power committed during his days at the White House. On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5314, which is meant to do just that.
The House just passed the #ProtectingOurDemocracy Act!
Now, the Senate must do its part to ensure our defining ideals are never again undermined. https://t.co/BBuXSas4z7 pic.twitter.com/FVDPq0iw6x
— Oversight Committee (@OversightDems) December 9, 2021
The bill covers things like protecting inspectors general from interference by elected officials, including the president of the United States, improves whistleblower protections, and holds public officials to whom the Hatch Act applies accountable for any breaches. The act may have changed the course of the Trump presidency had it been passed prior to his administration.
According to a press release by the House Oversight Committee:
‘The Protecting Our Democracy Act is a comprehensive package that will restore the federal government’s system of checks and balances, strengthen accountability and transparency, and protect America’s elections from foreign interference.’
Protecting our democracy must be a whole of government effort.
Because the task before us is much bigger than any one branch, person, or party.
It’s going to take all of us to get the job done.
I’m grateful to the @WhiteHouse for supporting the #ProtectingOurDemocracy Act.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 9, 2021
In fact, each piece of the bill would address some of the more corrupt actions of Trump’s presidency. His campaign’s work with Russian operatives, including campaign manager Paul Manafort’s sharing of voter rolls with Russian government officials, Attorney General Bill Barr’s interference with the inspector general during the Trump/Russia investigation, and White House advisor Kellyanne Conway’s hawking Ivanka Trump products on national television.
Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) said that:
‘With today’s House passage of the Protecting Our Democracy Act, we are sending a clear message that no President —regardless of political party— is above the law. I’m proud to have helped lead this landmark bill to preserve our democracy, restore accountability to the American people, and protect those who are brave enough to speak truth to power.’
Really great to see this.
"The Administration supports House passage of H.R. 5314, the Protecting Our Democracy Act."
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
The #ProtectingOurDemocracy Act contains several mechanisms to restore and maintain rule of law, separation of powers. pic.twitter.com/vb0ELHIuBx
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) December 9, 2021
The act must now move forward to be voted on by the Senate, where it faces an unsure fate. Considering the absolute inability of two Democratic senators to agree with any legislation introduced by their own party, passing bills like the Protect Our Democracy Act have become more and more uncertain. This bill, however, should be supported by every member of Congress, and for good reasons.
The text of the act begins by saying:
‘To protect our democracy by preventing abuses of presidential power, restor- ing checks and balances and accountability and transparency in govern- ment, and defending elections against foreign interference, and for other purposes.’
CONGRESS: Rep. @AOC: "The Protecting Our Democracy Act will do much to address the weaknesses that were exposed in the light of the last administration and exploited during President Trump's presidency." pic.twitter.com/foNxO06Sre
— Forbes (@Forbes) December 9, 2021
