H.R. 732: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017

115th Congress · Sponsored from Virginia · In committee

What this bill does

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States (resolving a civil action, a plea agreement, a deferred prosecution agreement, or a nonprosecution agreement) that provides for a payment or a loan to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments or loans that: (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or loan and suffered by the payee, or (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case or a payment that a court may order for restitution to victims in certain criminal cases or other persons in plea agreements. Amounts remaining after all claims have been satisfied must be repaid proportionally to each party who contributed to the original payment. 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. Federal 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. Agency inspectors general must report annually to Congress about any of their agency's settlement agreements that violate this bill.

Key facts

• Status In committee
• Introduced 2017-01-30
• Policy area Law
• Cosponsors 34
• Latest action Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]

Lead sponsor · Virginia

R

Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] introduced H.R. 732. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 732? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →