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HR 5063 114th Congress House

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016

Official title: To limit donations made pursuant to settlement agreements to which the United States is a party, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 28, 2016 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 35 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 8, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 7, 2016
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Sep 7, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 7, 2016
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 241 - 174 (Roll no. 488).
Sep 7, 2016
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 181 - 234 (Roll no. 487).
Sep 7, 2016
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H5135)
Sep 7, 2016
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meng motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to add an exemption to the underlying bill for settlement agreements that reduce the cost of life-saving medical devices, such as EpiPens, through the enforcement of antitrust laws.
Sep 7, 2016
Ms. Meng moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (consideration: CR H5134-5135; text: CR H5134)
Sep 7, 2016
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5124-5125)
Sep 7, 2016
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5134)
Sep 7, 2016
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5063.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tom Price (GA) amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tom Price (GA) amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cicilline amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Goodlatte demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cicilline amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Goodlatte demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Sep 7, 2016
DEBATE - Purusant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment.
Sep 7, 2016
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5063.
Sep 7, 2016
The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Stewart to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Sep 7, 2016
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 843 and Rule XVIII.
Sep 7, 2016
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5063 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Sep 7, 2016
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 843. (consideration: CR H5119-5136)
Sep 7, 2016
Rule H. Res. 843 passed House.
Sep 6, 2016
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 843 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5063 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 18, 2016
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 538.
Jul 18, 2016
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-694.
May 11, 2016
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 8.
May 11, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 28, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Apr 26, 2016
Introduced in House
Apr 26, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 7, 2016 House · vote #488 On Passage Passed 241–174 See who voted →
Sep 7, 2016 House · vote #487 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 181–234 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 7

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

2 agreed to 5 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,388 – Amendment requires each agency's Inspector General to report annually to the House and Senate Committees on t… Agreed to Sep 7, 2016
HAMDT 1,387 – Amendment requires the head of each Federal agency to electronically submit a report to the Congressional Bud… Agreed to Sep 7, 2016
HAMDT 1,386 Gosar, Paul A. Amendment sought to cap settlement payments for attorney fees provided in relation to environmental cases at … Failed Sep 7, 2016
HAMDT 1,385 – Amendment sought to exempt settlement agreements that resolve a civil action or potential civil action in rel… Failed Sep 7, 2016
HAMDT 1,384 – Amendment sought to exempt settlement agreements that pertain to providing restitution for a State. Failed Sep 7, 2016
HAMDT 1,383 – Amendment sought to exempt settlement agreements that strengthen the personal privacy of Americans from the b… Failed Sep 7, 2016
HAMDT 1,382 – Amendment sought to exempt from the bill any settlement pertaining to discrimination based on race, religion,… Failed Sep 7, 2016
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 Latest action September 8, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement resolving a civil action 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 remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or that constitute 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.

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.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5063: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5063/
MLA
"H.R. 5063: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5063/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5063, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5063/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5063: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5063/)
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