New York Senate advances bill to allow state charges despite presidential pardon

The New York Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow state prosecutors to pursue charges in some instances in which a person received a presidential pardon. 

Under the legislation, “a prosecution is not considered to have occurred if a person has been granted a reprieve, pardon, or other form of clemency for the offense by the President,” and other conditions are met. 

“The rule of law matters & the pardon power should not be perverted to undermine it,” tweeted state Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D), who introduced the bill. 

BREAKING: The @NYSenate just passed my bill to allow state prosecutors to bring charges, DESPITE a PRESIDENTIAL PARDON. The rule of law matters & the pardon power should not be perverted to undermine it. @IndivisibleTeam @MarchForTruth17 @MillenPolitics @NewYorkStateAG

— Todd Kaminsky (@toddkaminsky) May 8, 2019

{mosads}According to The Associated Press, the bill was created to get rid of a loophole that would make it more difficult to prosecute someone who had received a pardon. The state Assembly has not scheduled a vote on the measure, according to the news service. 

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. 

The state Senate on Wednesday also passed a bill that would allow New York to release President Trump’s state tax returns upon congressional request. Lawmakers announced the votes in a press conference earlier Wednesday.