Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

1/13/2024, 2:00 PM

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments that (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment, or (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case.

Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.

Agencies must report annually for seven years to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill. The Office of Inspector General for each agency must also report annually on any settlement agreements that violate the bill's requirements.

Congress
118

Number
HR - 788

Introduced on
2023-02-02

# Amendments
2

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/11/2024

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments that (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment, or (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case.

Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.

Agencies must report annually for seven years to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill. The Office of Inspector General for each agency must also report annually on any settlement agreements that violate the bill's requirements.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo limit donations made pursuant to settlement agreements to which the United States is a party, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Law

Potential Impact
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary5/2/2023

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than...


Latest Action1/11/2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.