Don Bacon Becomes First GOP Rep to Back Amendment Letting Congress Block Presidential Pardons
Rep. Don Bacon has made a rare bipartisan move by becoming the first Republican to co-sponsor a Democrat-led constitutional amendment to give Congress a formal role in reviewing presidential pardons. Bacon’s decision lands amid heightened scrutiny of how presidents use clemency power.
The amendment, authored by Rep. Johnny Olszewski, would allow a group of at least 20 House members and five senators to trigger a review of any presidential pardon. If invoked, Congress would have 60 days to vote with a two-thirds majority in both chambers to nullify the pardon — a process akin to overriding a veto.
Bacon said the pardon authority has been “abused” across administrations, weakening oversight and eroding trust in the rule of law. He characterized the amendment as a “narrow, commonsense guardrail” that preserves constitutional pardon power while strengthening checks and balances.
Related: U.S. Threatens New International Criminal Court Penalties Unless Trump Prosecution Dropped
The move follows controversial pardons issued by Presidents Donald Trump and others that have drawn bipartisan criticism. Olszewski has highlighted recent pardons for high-profile figures as evidence that reform is needed.
Despite the political interest, constitutional amendments are notoriously difficult to enact. To succeed, the Pardon Integrity Act must clear two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate, and then be ratified by at least 38 state legislatures — an extreme long-shot under any Congress.
Related: U.S. Plunges to Record Low 29th in Global Corruption Rankings — New Report
“It’s time Congress has an effective voice in how pardon power is exercised in our constitutional republic,” Bacon said in a statement.
If supporters can broaden bipartisan backing and secure state support, next steps will include committee action and formal floor votes — hurdles that could take months or more. Observers will be watching whether the amendment gains further Republican co-sponsors or faces unified pushback from presidential allies.
For now, Bacon’s endorsement represents the first significant House GOP departure on this issue, raising questions about how pardon reform debates may shape congressional politics ahead.
Related: Tillis Blocks Trump’s Fed Chair Pick Over Powell Probe Standoff