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Post Trump, U.S. Democrats offer bill to rein in presidential powers By Reuters

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is flanked by Reps.’ Adam Schiff (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Benny Thompson (D-MS) as she discusses the formation of a select committee to investigate the Januar

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House of Representatives Democrats introduced legislation on Tuesday seeking to pull back powers from the presidency, part of an effort by lawmakers to rein in the White House after what Democrats saw as overreach during the administration of former Republican President Donald Trump.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Representative Adam Schiff were planning to introduce the bill during a news conference. According to them, the “Protecting our Democracy Act” will restore the power balance that existed between the legislative and executive branches of government as stated in the U.S. Constitution.

It will, among others, place new restrictions on presidential pardons in contempt of Congress cases, ban self-pardons of the president, and increase measures to stop foreign interference.

It would also increase whistleblower protection, strengthen oversight by Congress over emergency declarations and protect inspectors general independence.

Trump has fired several inspectors general, watchdogs charged with fighting corruption within federal agencies. Also, Trump repeatedly declared national emergency at Mexico’s borders to demand the transfer of military funding to help build the wall. A campaign promise. And another was made about relations with Iran in order to bypass congressional review on military sales to Saudi Arabia.

It was not clear how the bill would progress. House Democrats have a narrow majority, but House Republicans are staunch supporters of Trump. The overwhelming majority of them opposed Trump’s two impeachments, and they rejected the bipartisan commission that would have investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters.

Pelosi described the legislation as “a strong, transformative package democracy reforms” which would protect the public trust from any president.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s aides did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

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