PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 7, 2016
Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016
(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement resolving a civil action 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 remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or that constitute 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.
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.
People & committees
Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] · R–VA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 241 - 174 (Roll no. 488).
House roll call 488 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 241 - 174 (Roll no. 488).
House roll call 488 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 181 - 234 (Roll no. 487).
House roll call 487 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H5135)
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meng motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to add an exemption to the underlying bill for settlement agreements that reduce the cost of life-saving medical devices, such as EpiPens, through the enforcement of antitrust laws.
Ms. Meng moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (consideration: CR H5134-5135; text: CR H5134)
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5124-5125)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5134)
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5063.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tom Price (GA) amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tom Price (GA) amendment.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar 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. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar amendment.
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. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment.
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 ayes had prevailed. Mr. Goodlatte 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. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cicilline amendment.
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 ayes had prevailed. Mr. Goodlatte 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 - Purusant to the provisions of H.Res. 843, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5063.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Stewart to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 843 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5063 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 843. (consideration: CR H5119-5136)
Rule H. Res. 843 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 843 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5063 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 538.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-694.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-694.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 8.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5063 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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