[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO LIMIT THE PRESIDENTIAL 
                                 PARDON

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2019

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a constitutional 
amendment I introduced today with several of my colleagues to prevent 
the President of the United States from pardoning himself, members of 
his family, members of his administration or members of his 
presidential campaign.
  The pardon power is supposed to be a safety valve against injustice. 
It is not supposed to be a way for presidents to put themselves, their 
families and members of their administration above the law.
  Unless we change the Constitution, however, this is how it could be 
used.
  There are already serious questions swirling around the current 
President, his family and members of his administration--including 
possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential election, 
which is currently being investigated by Special Counsel Robert 
Mueller.
  To ensure that everyone is treated equally under the law, we need to 
amend the Constitution to narrow the scope of the pardon power.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this amendment without delay.