To limit donations made pursuant to settlement agreements to which the United States is a party, and for other purposes.
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.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Frank D. Lucas to act as Chairman of the Committee.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 732.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Goodlatte amendment No. 1.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cohen amendment No. 2.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cohen amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (LA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 3.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (LA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 4.
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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.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cicilline amendment No. 5.
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 noes had prevailed. Mr. Cicilline demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment No. 6.
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 noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 732.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 - 183 (Roll no. 580).(text: CR H8118)
Roll Call #580 (House)On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 - 183 (Roll no. 580). (text: CR H8118)
Roll Call #580 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.