Congress 118 - HR 788 - Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

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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.

Actions

Jan 16, 2024

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 11, 2024

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 11, 2024

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 197 (Roll no. 7).
Jan 11, 2024

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 197 (Roll no. 7).
Jan 11, 2024

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 189 - 205 (Roll no. 6).
Jan 11, 2024

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H83-84)
Jan 11, 2024

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 788, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Foushee demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Jan 11, 2024

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Jan 11, 2024

Mrs. Foushee moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H77)
Jan 11, 2024

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 947, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCormick amendment No. 1.
Jan 11, 2024

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 788.
Jan 11, 2024

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 788, H.J. Res. 98 and S.J. Res. 38. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 788 under a structured rule, with one hour of general debate. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 98 and S.J. Res. 38 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each joint resolution. Also, the resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 788 and H.J. Res. 98. A motion to commit on S.J. Res. 38.
Jan 11, 2024

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 947. (consideration: CR H71-77; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H71)
Jan 9, 2024

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 947 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 788, H.J. Res. 98 and S.J. Res. 38. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 788 under a structured rule, with one hour of general debate. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 98 and S.J. Res. 38 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each joint resolution. Also, the resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 788 and H.J. Res. 98. A motion to commit on S.J. Res. 38.
Jan 9, 2024

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 278.
Jan 9, 2024

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-339.
Jun 14, 2023

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 14, 2023

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 10.
Feb 2, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 2, 2023

Introduced in House

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