Congress bars presidents from tapping federal settlement fund for their own lawsuits
H.R. 9239 — Drain the Slush Fund Act · Filed by Jason Crow (D-CO) · 4 cosponsors · Introduced Jun 10, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill bars the federal government from paying judgments, awards, or settlements in any lawsuit or claim filed by the President or Vice President, effective January 20, 2025 and retroactively to pending cases. It prevents the executive branch from using the standard federal settlement account (31 U.S.C. § 1304) to fund claims brought by sitting presidents or vice presidents.
Why we flagged it
The bill restricts sitting presidents and vice presidents from accessing the federal Judgment Fund for their own lawsuits, a direct accountability constraint on executive self-dealing. It is not a deregulation, subsidy, or private carve-out; it is a prohibition on executive officers' use of public money.
What the text implies
- The retroactive application to pending cases (back to January 20, 2025) may affect any lawsuits filed by the President or Vice President that are currently in settlement negotiations or awaiting judgment.
- The bill does not prevent the President or Vice President from filing suit; it only bars payment from the Judgment Fund. They could still pursue claims through other appropriations or direct congressional action.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Ordinary citizens are not restricted; the bill prevents sitting presidents and vice presidents from using public settlement funds to recover damages in their own lawsuits. This is an accountability measure that prevents executive self-dealing and protects the public fisc from being used to settle claims brought by the highest officers of government.