A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Executive Settlement Review Act. It sets up new rules for compromise settlements or monetary awards of $250,000 or more, or nonmonetary relief, involving executive branch officials and certain related individuals or entities. Under the bill, covered individuals must bring a lawsuit before a three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The bill also requires proposed settlements to be published in the Federal Register and opened up for public comment. Additionally, the district court panel must review the settlement to ensure it is in the public interest and not arbitrary, capricious, or tainted by corruption. Finally, the bill outlines powers the court may use during this review process, such as taking testimony or appointing experts.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires compromise settlements involving executive branch officials to be published in the Federal Register and opened for public comment.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal judicial oversight by requiring a special three-judge district court panel to review and approve executive settlement agreements.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill protects taxpayers by preventing improper insider settlements and ensuring awards are reasonable.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Public Transparency in Section 2 (adding section 1304(f)(1)-(3) to title 31): This provision requires settlement proposals involving top officials to be published in the Federal Register, made available for public comment, and accompanied by the documents the United States considered determinative. This is positive because it allows everyday people to see what the government is doing and voice their opinions on the matter.
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Accountability and Corruption Checks in Section 2 (adding section 1304(f)(5)(B) to title 31): The bill requires the court to set aside any settlement proposal that is found to be unfair due to improper collusion or corruption, or if the award is higher than what a non-covered person would reasonably expect. This protects taxpayers by holding officials accountable and preventing insider sweetheart deals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline direct negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires compromise settlements involving executive branch officials to be published in the Federal Register and opened for public comment. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal judicial oversight by requiring a special three-judge district court panel to review and approve executive settlement agreements.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill protects taxpayers by preventing improper insider settlements and ensuring awards are reasonable. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill protects taxpayers by preventing improper insider settlements and ensuring awards are reasonable.
- 10/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia