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HR 5314 117th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory procedures Administrative remedies Appropriations Budget process Civil actions and liability Congressional committees Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal procedure and sentencing Defense spending Department of Justice Elections, voting, political campaign regulation Employment discrimination and employee rights Evidence and witnesses Executive agency funding and structure Federal officials Federal-Indian relations Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

No President is Above the Law Act

Introduced: September 21, 2021 Introduced by: Schiff, Adam B. Democratic · California See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 23 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 13, 2021
Received in the Senate.
Dec 9, 2021
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5314.
Dec 9, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 9, 2021
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 440).
Dec 9, 2021
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 217 (Roll no. 439).
Dec 9, 2021
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Dec 9, 2021
Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. (text: CR H7616)
Dec 9, 2021
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Dec 9, 2021
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. (consideration: CR H7613)
Dec 9, 2021
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Ocasio-Cortez amendment No. 25, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Dec 9, 2021
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 838, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ocasio-Cortez amendment No. 25.
Dec 9, 2021
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney en bloc No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Dec 9, 2021
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 838, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney amendment en bloc No. 2.
Dec 9, 2021
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendments and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Dec 9, 2021
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 838, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney amendment en bloc No. 1.
Dec 9, 2021
DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.R. 5314.
Dec 9, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5314.
Dec 9, 2021
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5314, S. 1605 and S. 610 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule makes in order for the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on certain legislative days.
Dec 9, 2021
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 838. (consideration: CR H7562-7617)
Dec 7, 2021
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 838 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5314, S. 1605 and S. 610 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule makes in order for the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on certain legislative days.
Sep 22, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Sep 21, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, the Budget, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and House Administration, 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.
Sep 21, 2021
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Dec 9, 2021 House · vote #440 On Passage Passed 220208 See who voted →
Dec 9, 2021 House · vote #439 On Motion to Recommit Failed 212217 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 4

2 agreed to 2 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 148 Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria Amendment sought to assert the Government Accountability Office's investigatory powers over the intelligence … Failed Dec 9, 2021
HAMDT 147 Amendments en bloc No. 2 comprised of amendments numbered 3 and 7, printed in Part B of House Report 117-205. Failed Dec 9, 2021
HAMDT 146 Amendments en bloc No. 1 comprised of amendments numbered 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17… Agreed to Dec 9, 2021
HAMDT 145 Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 838, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text … Agreed to Dec 9, 2021
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protecting Our Democracy Act

This bill addresses issues involving (1) abuses of presidential power; (2) checks and balances, accountability, and transparency; and (3) election integrity and security.

Specifically, regarding abuses of presidential power, the bill

  • requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President to submit to Congress specified materials relating to certain pardons,
  • prohibits presidential self-pardons,
  • suspends the statute of limitations for federal offenses committed by a sitting President or Vice President,
  • prohibits the acceptance of foreign or domestic emoluments, and
  • sets forth provisions regarding Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel jurisdiction and enforcement authority.

To address checks and balances, accountability, and transparency, the bill

  • authorizes specified actions to enforce congressional subpoenas,
  • imposes limits on presidential declarations of emergencies,
  • requires DOJ to maintain a log of specified communications between it and the White House,
  • requires cause for removal of inspectors general,
  • increases whistleblower protections, and
  • requires a candidate for President or Vice President to provide copies of tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years to the Federal Election Commission.

To address election integrity and security, the bill

  • requires federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts,
  • makes various changes to requirements concerning foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates and foreign contributions to online electioneering communications,
  • prohibits distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media prior to an election (i.e., deepfakes), and
  • establishes a program to support states and localities transition to ranked choice voting systems.
What's happening now December 13, 2021

Received in the Senate.

 Related & companion bills 10
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 10
 Cosponsors 146
D
Carter, Troy A.
Louisiana · Dec 7, 2021
D
Schrier, Kim
Washington · Dec 7, 2021
D
Stevens, Haley M.
Michigan · Dec 7, 2021
D
Casten, Sean
Illinois · Dec 2, 2021
D
Horsford, Steven
Nevada · Dec 2, 2021
D
Plaskett, Stacey E.
Virgin Islands · Dec 2, 2021
Cartwright, Matt
· Dec 1, 2021
D
Panetta, Jimmy
California · Dec 1, 2021
D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Dec 1, 2021
D
Houlahan, Chrissy
Pennsylvania · Nov 23, 2021
D
Underwood, Lauren
Illinois · Nov 23, 2021
DOYLE, MIKE
· Nov 17, 2021
D
Leger Fernandez, Teresa
New Mexico · Nov 17, 2021
Perlmutter, Ed
· Nov 3, 2021
D
Craig, Angie
Minnesota · Oct 19, 2021
D
Frankel, Lois
Florida · Oct 19, 2021
D
García, Jesús G. "Chuy"
Illinois · Oct 19, 2021
D
Kelly, Robin L.
Illinois · Oct 19, 2021
D
Larsen, Rick
Washington · Oct 19, 2021
RYAN, TIM
· Oct 19, 2021
D
Suozzi, Thomas R.
New York · Oct 19, 2021
D
Titus, Dina
Nevada · Oct 19, 2021
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Oct 15, 2021
D
DelBene, Suzan K.
Washington · Oct 15, 2021
D
Pappas, Chris
New Hampshire · Oct 15, 2021
Wexton, Jennifer
· Oct 15, 2021
D
Chu, Judy
California · Oct 12, 2021
D
Green, Al
Texas · Oct 12, 2021
D
Hayes, Jahana
Connecticut · Oct 12, 2021
Kahele, Kaiali'i
· Oct 12, 2021
D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Oct 12, 2021
D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Oct 12, 2021
D
Waters, Maxine
California · Oct 12, 2021
D
Tonko, Paul
New York · Sep 28, 2021
Bustos, Cheri
· Sep 27, 2021
D
Crow, Jason
Colorado · Sep 27, 2021
D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Sep 27, 2021
D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Sep 24, 2021
D
Trahan, Lori
Massachusetts · Sep 24, 2021
D
Foster, Bill
Illinois · Sep 23, 2021
D
Levin, Mike
California · Sep 23, 2021
D
Vargas, Juan
California · Sep 23, 2021
D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Sep 22, 2021
D
Sherman, Brad
California · Sep 22, 2021
D
Smith, Adam
Washington · Sep 22, 2021
D
Adams, Alma S.
North Carolina · Sep 21, 2021
D
Aguilar, Pete
California · Sep 21, 2021
D
Auchincloss, Jake
Massachusetts · Sep 21, 2021
D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · Sep 21, 2021
Bass, Karen
· Sep 21, 2021
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5314: Protecting Our Democracy Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5314/
MLA
"H.R. 5314: Protecting Our Democracy Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5314/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5314, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5314/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5314: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5314/)
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