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Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

Introduced: February 2, 2023 Introduced by: Gooden, Lance Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 16, 2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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 as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H83-84)
Jan 11, 2024
Mrs. Foushee moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H77)
Jan 11, 2024
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
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
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
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 11, 2024
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Jan 11, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jan 11, 2024 House · vote #7 On Passage Passed 211–197 See who voted →
Jan 11, 2024 House · vote #6 On Motion to Recommit Failed 189–205 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

2 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 839 McCormick, Richard An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 118-342 to require the violation audits within this Act submi… Agreed to Jan 11, 2024
HAMDT 838 — Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 947, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text… Agreed to Jan 11, 2024
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now January 16, 2024

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

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 225 Identical bill Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023
  • HRES 947 Related bill Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 788) to limit donations made pursuant to settlement agreements to which t…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 16
All 16 Republican 14
Bishop, Dan
· Jan 9, 2024
 R
Fry, Russell
South Carolina · Jan 9, 2024
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Jul 18, 2023
 R
Biggs, Andy
Arizona · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Cline, Ben
Virginia · Feb 2, 2023
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Ellzey, Jake
Texas · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Feb 2, 2023
Luetkemeyer, Blaine
· Feb 2, 2023
 R
Moolenaar, John R.
Michigan · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Palmer, Gary J.
Alabama · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Perry, Scott
Pennsylvania · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Tiffany, Thomas P.
Wisconsin · Feb 2, 2023
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Feb 2, 2023
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 788: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-788/
MLA
"H.R. 788: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-788/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 788, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-788/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 788: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-788/)
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