Sponsors (9)
Bars presidential settlements that benefit the President unless a federal court approves them after an evidentiary hearing; uncertified agreements are void.
The bill strengthens transparency and judicial oversight of settlements involving the President to protect public trust and prevent hidden benefits, but it adds procedural burdens, delays dispute resolution, and could unsettle prior agreements through retroactive effect.
Taxpayers and the public: settlements involving the President must be filed and subject to judicial evidentiary hearings and approval, increasing transparency and oversight to reduce hidden or collusive payments that could evade review.
Citizens' trust in government: by reducing the risk that the executive could obtain personal or third‑party benefits through private settlements without adversarial review, the bill helps protect public accountability and the integrity of executive actions.
People who sued or settled with the President (third parties and plaintiffs): resolving claims will become slower and more uncertain because settlements are void until a court approves them, delaying final payments or resolutions.
The President, DOJ, and federal litigators: the requirement for filed terms and evidentiary hearings imposes new procedural burdens that could increase litigation costs and delay or complicate settlements.
Taxpayers and counterparties to past settlements: the bill's retroactive application could reopen or invalidate prior agreements reached before enactment, creating legal uncertainty and potential costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To amend title 28, United States Code, to establish certain requirements for compromise settlements between the President and the United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 9, 2026 by Jamie Ben Raskin · Last progress June 9, 2026
Prohibits the President from entering into or carrying out compromise settlements, consent decrees, or other agreements that would provide benefits to the President or a third party at the President’s direction unless a federal court approves the agreement after a hearing and explicit findings. Treats any such agreement as void unless the court issues an order finding the settlement non-collusive, supported by a reasonable legal basis, and in the interest of justice. Requires the President to file suit and proposed settlement terms in court when no civil action exists, directs courts to hold evidentiary hearings and make explicit findings before approving agreements, and makes the rule apply to past, current, and future agreements on enactment.