Protecting Our Democracy Act

# Summary of the Protecting Our Democracy Act This comprehensive legislation aims to strengthen democratic institutions, increase government transparency, and prevent corruption through multiple key provisions: 1. **Presidential & VP Tax Transparency**: Requires presidential and vice presidential candidates to disclose 10 years of tax returns, with specific deadlines for sitting officeholders. 2. **Executive Branch Accountability**: - Establishes an Inspector General for the Executive Office of the President - Requires semiannual reports on audits and investigations - Mandates over-classification audits of the Executive Office 3. **Campaign Finance Reform**: - Creates new reporting requirements for "reportable foreign contacts" - Expands definition of "public communication" to include online advertising - Requires clear disclosure of sponsors for online political advertisements - Strengthens foreign money ban on contributions and donations 4. **Foreign Interference Prevention**: - Requires disclosure of foreign contacts with political committees - Bans contributions by foreign nationals for ballot initiatives - Establishes criminal penalties for violations 5. **Civil Service Protections**: - Limits excepting positions from competitive service - Restricts transfers between competitive and excepted service - Prevents political patronage in government hiring 6. **Ethics & Corruption Prevention**: - Creates a "pledge" for appointees with specific restrictions - Requires recusal for officials with financial interests in previous employers - Clarifies definition of "official act" to close bribery loopholes 7. **Other Provisions**: - Prohibits political conventions on federal property - Requires public access to visitor records at White House and VP residence - Restricts service in executive branch for individuals convicted of certain crimes The legislation represents a sweeping effort to enhance transparency, prevent foreign interference in elections, protect the civil service from political patronage, and strengthen ethics requirements for government officials.