Sarbanes Votes to Protect Democracy Against Corruption

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement after House passage of the Protecting Our Democracy Act (H.R. 5314):

"Our democracy can no longer depend on a president's moral obligation to the American people. There must be safeguards put in place to protect our institutions and prevent presidential abuses of office.

"Transparency, accountability and a robust system of checks and balances are our sharpest tools to rebuild our democratic institutions, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act puts them to work as it closes loopholes, enforces ethics laws and restores the faith and confidence of the American people.

"Together with the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, this legislation will create a stronger democracy for all."