WATCH: Democrats Introduce Bill To Rein In 'Lawless' President

President Trump has made circumventing Congress a hallmark of his presidency, redirecting money appropriated for the military to construction of his border wall, canceling unspent foreign aid, installing loyalists as heads of agencies without required Senate approval and refusing to comply with House subpoenas or to allow administration officials to update Congress on key issues.

Now Democrats are ready to do something about what they consider a “lawless” president, rolling out the Protecting Our Democracy Act on Wednesday, nearly a year after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the Trump impeachment inquiry.

“Since taking office, President Trump has placed his own personal and political interests above the national interest by protecting and enriching himself, targeting his political opponents, seeking foreign interference in our elections, eroding transparency, seeking to end accountability, and otherwise abusing the power of his office,” Democrats said in a statement.

The measure, which is likely to die in the Republican-controlled Senate if taken up before the Nov. 3 election or during the lame duck session to follow, covers everything from administration officials using their positions to campaign to the cozy relationship between Trump and Attorney General William Barr’s Justice Department.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said the bill would stop presidential abuses, restore constitutional checks and balances and protect elections – a major issue this year amid the administration’s alleged efforts to cripple the U.S. Postal Service ahead of what is expected to be a massive mail-in vote because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The executive must be accountable to Congress, to the people and ultimately to the rule of law. It is vital that we reassert this important principle,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said in introducing the measure, which is a compilation of proposals that have filtered through seven House committees.

The measure is the first attempt at reining in the presidency since the Watergate era. The earlier legislation addressed campaign finance, established a special prosecutor and created a congressional legal service in 1974. Congress also adopted revised ethics legislation in 1978, and in 1976 adopted the Government in Sunshine Act.