Bill bars presidents from settling claims in their own favor without court approval.

What it does

This bill prohibits the President from receiving any payment or benefit from the U.S. government through a settlement of claims the President files against the United States. Any such settlement is void unless a federal court holds a hearing, finds the settlement is not collusive or fraudulent, and explicitly determines it serves the interest of justice. The bill applies retroactively to all settlements, past and future.

Why we flagged it

The bill's operative mechanism is a structural prohibition on the President settling claims in his own favor without judicial approval and explicit findings. It is an accountability measure, not a substantive policy change to settlement law generally.

What the text implies

• Retroactive application to all settlements 'concluded before, on, or after' enactment means past presidential settlements may be subject to challenge or reconsideration if they involved payments to the President or his designees.
• The 'void ab initio' language means any settlement not approved by court order is treated as if it never existed, potentially reopening settled disputes.
• The requirement for 'explicit findings' that the President and U.S. are 'adverse' parties may create litigation over whether a sitting President can truly be adverse to the government he heads.
• Third-party beneficiaries 'at the direction of the President' are also barred, potentially capturing settlements that nominally benefit allies, family members, or entities controlled by the President.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill restricts the President's ability to use settlement authority to enrich himself or allies at public expense, requiring judicial oversight and explicit findings of good faith and justice. Citizens benefit from a structural check on executive self-dealing and from transparency in how the government resolves claims filed by sitting or former presidents.

Named in the bill

President of the United States, United States (as defendant/party), Federal courts, 28 U.S.C. Chapter 161 (Federal Tort Claims Act and related settlement authority)

Where it stands

9 cosponsors: 9 Democrats.

• Jun 9, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jun 9, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.