Discussion · House of Representatives
James P. McGovern Democrat
“I want us to vote against ending debate so I can bring up a bill to stop presidents from selling pardons. Donald Trump pardoned fraudsters and political friends who broke the law. Taxpayers lost over $2 billion because of these pardons. Presidents should not be allowed to pardon people for money, bribes, or political favors.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. That is kind of the problem around here. People just read talking points and, again, not a word in response to all of these fraudsters that Donald Trump pardoned, as the gentlewoman leaves and tries to not address any of this stuff. I understand it because this is indefensible. The taxpayers of this country have been denied over $2 billion in compensation because of these fraudsters getting pardoned. These pay- to-play schemes are indefensible. Again, I don’t want to hear any lectures about fraud from that side. You guys are enabling this fraud to happen on a regular basis. It is right in our faces. Everybody can see it, and it is disgusting. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to provide for consideration of H.R. 10032, the No Payoffs for Pardons Act, which would prevent President Trump, or any future President, from giving out pardons in exchange for money, bribes, or political favors. Mr. Speaker, our Founding Fathers gave the President the pardon power as a last-ditch safeguard against injustice, not as a tool for self- enrichment or political favoritism. President Trump is handing out pardons like he is running a for- profit business, letting millionaires and Republican allies out of jail for crimes like Medicare fraud, crypto money laundering, and tax evasion. In one case, he even pardoned a longtime Republican political ally named Michele Fiore in Nevada after she stole money earmarked for a statue to honor a slain police officer. She used that money for her plastic surgery. She deserves a pardon? What the hell is wrong with you people? This is crazy. This is insane. If any Republican is brave enough to publicly agree that this corruption must end, I urge you to vote with Democrats to defeat the previous question. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the Record, along with any extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Newhouse). Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts? There was no objection.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. That is kind of the problem around here. People just read talking points and, again, not a word in response to all of these fraudsters that Donald Trump pardoned, as the gentlewoman leaves and tries to not address any of this stuff. I understand it because this is indefensible. The taxpayers of this country have been denied over $2 billion in compensation because of these fraudsters getting pardoned. These pay- to-play schemes are indefensible. Again, I don’t want to hear any lectures about fraud from that side. You guys are enabling this fraud to happen on a regular basis. It is right in our faces. Everybody can see it, and it is disgusting. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to provide for consideration of H.R. 10032, the No Payoffs for Pardons Act, which would prevent President Trump, or any future President, from giving out pardons in exchange for money, bribes, or political favors. Mr. Speaker, our Founding Fathers gave the President the pardon power as a last-ditch safeguard against injustice, not as a tool for self- enrichment or political favoritism. President Trump is handing out pardons like he is running a for- profit business, letting millionaires and Republican allies out of jail for crimes like Medicare fraud, crypto money laundering, and tax evasion. In one case, he even pardoned a longtime Republican political ally named Michele Fiore in Nevada after she stole money earmarked for a statue to honor a slain police officer. She used that money for her plastic surgery. She deserves a pardon? What the hell is wrong with you people? This is crazy. This is insane. If any Republican is brave enough to publicly agree that this corruption must end, I urge you to vote with Democrats to defeat the previous question. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the Record, along with any extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Newhouse). Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts? There was no objection.