The Protecting Our Democracy Act is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen checks and balances on presidential power and protect democratic institutions. It tackles several major areas of concern.

First, it limits how presidents can use their pardon power by requiring congressional oversight of certain pardons, making it illegal to accept bribes for pardons, prohibiting presidents from pardoning themselves, and requiring financial disclosure from people who receive pardons. It also ensures no president is above the law by extending the time limits for prosecuting crimes, preventing presidents from using government contracts to enrich themselves, and allowing former presidents convicted of felonies to lose their post-presidency benefits.

Second, the bill restores congressional power by making it easier for Congress to enforce subpoenas, strengthening Congress's control over federal spending (preventing presidents from simply refusing to spend money Congress approved), and giving Congress more oversight of emergency declarations. It also protects government employees who blow the whistle on wrongdoing, prevents political interference in criminal investigations, and strengthens ethics rules for federal employees and political appointees.

Third, the bill addresses election security by requiring campaigns to report contacts with foreign governments or agents, making it illegal to accept foreign money in elections, and creating penalties for violations. Finally, it increases transparency by requiring presidents to disclose their tax returns and establishing an inspector general office to oversee the president's office itself. Overall, the bill aims to prevent abuse of executive power while making government more accountable to Congress and the public.