Lance Gooden (R-TX)
Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 9 Republican cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
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
The "Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026" aims to limit donations made through settlement agreements where the United States is a party. It prohibits government officials from entering into settlements that direct payments to entities other than the United States, unless those payments are for restitution of actual harm or for services rendered. Government officials who violate this rule face penalties under title 31 of the United States Code. The Act also requires Federal agencies to submit annual reports to the Congressional Budget Office regarding specific settlement payments. Additionally, it mandates an annual audit by the Inspector General to report violations to specific Congressional committees.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The act significantly improves transparency by requiring annual reports to the CBO and public audit reports.
- Scored +3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The act improves fiscal responsibility by increasing transparency and oversight of settlement fund distributions.
- Scored +1
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal oversight and accountability requirements for agency officials.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevention of unauthorized payments: By prohibiting officials from directing settlement money to entities other than the United States unless it is for direct remedy or services, the bill limits how money is distributed (Section 2(a)).
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Increased transparency through reporting: Federal agencies must submit electronic reports to the Congressional Budget Office detailing settlement parties, fund sources, and distribution methods (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Public accountability via audits: The Inspector General is required to submit reports on settlement violations to specific Congressional committees and make them available on a publicly accessible website (Section 2(f)(1)).
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Accountability for government officials: Officials or agents who violate the donation limitations are subject to penalties defined in section 3302 of title 31 of the United States Code (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
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 act significantly improves transparency by requiring annual reports to the CBO and public audit reports. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight and accountability requirements for agency officials.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The act improves fiscal responsibility by increasing transparency and oversight of settlement fund distributions. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill may reduce indirect government spending by preventing the diversion of settlement funds to outside entities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows for payments that directly remedy environmental harm, which maintains existing environmental legal remedies.
- 2/5/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Russell FryRepublican · South Carolina
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
Andrew OglesRepublican · Tennessee
Gary PalmerRepublican · Alabama
David RouzerRepublican · North Carolina
Chip RoyRepublican · Texas
Thomas TiffanyRepublican · Wisconsin
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York