A resolution condemning the pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 42
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S435-436)
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 42) aims to express the Senate's disapproval of any presidential pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers, likely in reference to events such as the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Key Provisions
- The resolution states that the Senate "disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers."
- It was introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 45 other Democratic senators on January 28, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for consideration.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- None. As a non-binding resolution, it does not amend or create new laws; it serves as a formal statement of Senate sentiment rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: May signal congressional support for law enforcement, particularly the Capitol Police, potentially bolstering morale or influencing future appropriations and oversight.
- On citizens: Could affect public perception of accountability for crimes against police, but has no direct legal effect on individuals or ongoing cases.
- On international relations: Minimal to none, as it focuses on domestic U.S. events and presidential authority.
- Overall, the impact is primarily symbolic, aiming to shape political discourse without altering legal outcomes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Capitol Police officers and law enforcement: Directly supported through condemnation of pardons for their assailants.
- Convicted individuals: Those found guilty of assaulting officers, whose potential pardons are criticized.
- The President and executive branch: Implicitly challenges the use of pardon power (a constitutional authority granted to the President).
- Senate members and Congress: Reflects partisan divisions, with broad Democratic sponsorship highlighting intra-branch tensions.
- The public and advocacy groups: Influences debates on justice, accountability, and the events of January 6.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the separation of powers but cannot override the President's constitutional pardon authority under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution (which allows pardons for federal offenses, with limited exceptions like impeachment).
- Constitutional: Highlights ongoing debates about the scope of executive clemency, especially for politically charged convictions, without challenging its legality.
- Political: Serves as a partisan critique, potentially escalating tensions between Congress and the executive branch; its referral to the Judiciary Committee suggests it may prompt hearings or further resolutions, but passage is unlikely to have binding force.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (46)
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela [D-MD], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S435-436)
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Condemning the pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (1 pages)