Congress is aware of need for presidential pardon reform

I read with interest Professor John Vile's op-ed Tuesday (“Trump's lastminute pardons are just one reason why it's time to reconsider presidential pardon power”) and agree with its premise and conclusions.

However, Professor Vile's historical references to attempts to reform the pardon power appear to have overlooked mine.

I have a long history of attempting to limit the pardon power of chief executives, dating back to my service in the

Tennessee Constitutional Convention of 1977 when I sought to constrain a governor's misuse of clemency.

In Congress, I have introduced measures to limit the presidential pardon power, including a Constitutional Amendment I re-introduced two weeks ago on the first day of this Congress.

This measure would prevent presidents from issuing pardons to themselves or to their family and aides.

I think it's useful for your readers to know that Congress is very much aware of the ongoing threat that unchecked pardon power poses and that we are attempting to address it. Thank you.

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-memphis, represents District 9 in the U.S. House of Representatives.