3.0.0 3582 2022-12-30T04:48:37Z 2022-12-30T04:48:37Z Senate S 2022-02-03 117 ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Standing Referred to 2022-02-03T21:47:11Z Political CRIMES Act 117 5120 HR 2021-08-27 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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. Related bill CRS 2022-02-03 ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. IntroReferral 2022-02-03 Introduced in Senate IntroReferral 10000 9 Library of Congress W000817 Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] Elizabeth Warren D MA A. N M001176 Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] Jeff Merkley D OR 2022-02-03 True M000133 Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] Edward Markey D MA J. 2022-02-03 True Government Operations and Politics Government Operations and Politics 00 2022-02-03 Introduced in Senate 2022-06-22T19:39:49Z Political Corruption Review of Infractions for Misconduct by Executive Servants Act or the Political CRIMES Act

This bill addresses unlawful political activity by specified federal officials and revises the penalties for unlawful political activity by executive branch employees.

Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a preliminary investigation when it receives information sufficient to constitute grounds to investigate whether the President, Vice President, or other senior officials violated laws regarding political activities between January 20, 2009, and January 21, 2021. If further investigation is warranted, DOJ must apply for the appointment of an independent counsel.

The bill limits the political activity of the President and Vice President while on federal property.

Additionally, the bill increases criminal penalties for Hatch Act violations. The Hatch Act prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government from engaging in some forms of political activity (e.g., advocating for or against a partisan political party while on duty). The purpose of the act is to maintain a federal workforce free from partisan political influence or coercion.

The bill establishes an Inspector General for the Office of Special Counsel.

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on certain reimbursable political events held at the White House or on the White House grounds.

]]> Political CRIMES Act Display Title Political CRIMES Act Short Title(s) as Introduced Political CRIMES Act Introduced in Senate IS Short Title(s) as Introduced Political Corruption Review of Infractions for Misconduct by Executive Servants Act Introduced in Senate IS Official Title as Introduced A bill to establish an Independent Counsel on Pernicious Political Activities, and for other purposes. Introduced in Senate IS Introduced in Senate 2022-02-03T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117s3582is/xml/BILLS-117s3582is.xml 2022-02-03 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.