Politiparty
Politiparty
LeaderboardCongressBills

118th Congress Law

H.R. 788: Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023

Passed HouseJan 11, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)Feb 2, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)Jan 11, 2024, 211–197
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Feb 2, 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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Jan 11, 2024

On Passage

Passed 211–197

Yea 211majority 205Nay 197

  • Democrats0 yea, 197 nay
  • Republicans210 yea, 0 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay
See how all 408 members voted

Showing 432 of 432 members

Yea 211

Republicans (210)

Independents (1)

Nay 197

Democrats (197)

Not voting 24

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Jan 11, 2024. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

2 votes on this bill

Showing 2 of 2 roll calls

  • Jan 11, 2024HouseOn PassageFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 211–197
    Roll call 7 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats0197016
    Republicans210008
    Independents1000
    Total211197024

    House roll call 7: On Passage. Passed.

    How each member voted (432)
  • Jan 11, 2024HouseMotion to recommitFailed, yea-nay 189–205
    Roll call 6 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats1890024
    Republicans0204014
    Independents0100
    Total189205038

    House roll call 6: On Motion to Recommit. Failed.

    How each member voted (432)

Amendments

1 offered

Showing 1 of 1 amendments

  • H.Amdt. 839Rich McCormick R-GAAgreedJan 11, 2024Jan 11, 2024: On agreeing to the McCormick amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.

Cosponsors

16

Who scored on this bill

136 points earned
  1. 1Lance Gooden R-TX SponsorIntroduced, reported, passed House3 events+50
  2. 2Rich McCormick R-GA1 amendment offered, 1 agreed2 events+22
  3. 3Andy Biggs R-AZCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  4. 3Dan Bishop R-NCCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  5. 3Ben Cline R-VACosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Lance Gooden

History

  1. Jan 11, 2024Passed the House, 211–197.
  2. Feb 2, 2023Introduced in the House by Lance Gooden.
Show the full action history (20 actions)
  1. Jan 16, 2024Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  2. Jan 11, 2024Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 947. (consideration: CR H71-77; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H71)
  3. Jan 11, 2024Rule 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.
  4. Jan 11, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 788.
  5. Jan 11, 2024DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 947, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCormick amendment No. 1.
  6. Jan 11, 2024Mrs. Foushee moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H77)
  7. Jan 11, 2024The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  8. Jan 11, 2024POSTPONED 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.
  9. Jan 11, 2024Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H83-84)
  10. Jan 11, 2024On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 189 - 205 (Roll no. 6).
  11. Jan 11, 2024Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 197 (Roll no. 7).
  12. Jan 11, 2024On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 197 (Roll no. 7).
  13. Jan 11, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  14. Jan 9, 2024Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 118-339.
  15. Jan 9, 2024Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 278.
  16. Jan 9, 2024Rules 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.
  17. Jun 14, 2023Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 10.
  18. Jun 14, 2023Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  19. Feb 2, 2023Introduced in House
  20. Feb 2, 2023Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.