H.R. 8914: No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026
Sponsor
Jamie Raskin
Democrat · MD-8
Bill Progress
Latest Action · May 20, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Your tax dollars can't fund insider settlements
Why it matters
Payments over $100,000 would have to be reported to Congress, and payouts over $250,000 could be frozen for 120 days. H.R. 8914 also targets a specific Trump-related settlement fund and blocks certain federal payouts to presidents, top aides, relatives, and covered entities.
H.R. 8914 does two things at once. First, it says no federal money can be used for the compensation fund created by a May 18, 2026 settlement in Trump, et al. v. IRS, et al. That makes this a direct response to one named case, not just a rewrite of general rules.
Second, the bill would block certain people from receiving settlement or award payments from the federal Judgment Fund. That list includes the President, Vice President, close family members, Cabinet officials, senior White House staff, political appointees, and some former officials who served during that president's term.
The bill also bars payouts for claims tied to investigations or prosecutions related to January 6 or foreign interference in the 2016 election, plus claims based on facts identical to a case against the government that was already dismissed with prejudice. Supporters argue that taxpayer money should not be used for those categories of claims.
For oversight, Treasury would have to report any covered payment above $100,000 to top House and Senate Judiciary leaders within 30 days. Payments above $250,000—or payments tied to imminent litigation—would trigger notice to Congress and a 120-day waiting period before the money could go out.
If a barred payment is made anyway, the Attorney General could go to court to stop it or recover the money. Congress could still approve a blocked payment later, but only through a separate, claim-by-claim appropriation.
H.R. 8914 Bill Summary
What H.R. 8914 actually does.
Named Trump settlement fund gets shut off
The bill says no federal funds may be used to create or pay the compensation fund in the May 18, 2026 settlement in Trump, et al. v. IRS, et al.
Presidents, relatives, and top aides can't collect covered payouts
H.R. 8914 bars covered settlements or awards from going to the President, Vice President, a parent, spouse, child, child's spouse, Cabinet members, senior Executive Office staff, political appointees, and certain former officials.
Some president-linked businesses are also blocked
The bill covers entities in which the President or Vice President has an ownership stake, with limited exceptions for larger, widely held firms where their ownership is 5% or less.
Claims tied to January 6 and 2016 election probes are excluded
The bill bars payouts for claims alleging harm from investigation, prosecution, or conviction related to the January 6 attack, foreign interference in the 2016 election, or facts identical to a dismissed case against the government.
Big settlement checks must be reported
Treasury would have to report covered payments above $100,000 to the top Republican and Democratic members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within 30 days.
Larger payouts face a four-month pause
Before a covered payment above $250,000—or one tied to imminent litigation—can go out, Treasury must notify Congress and then wait 120 days.
Who benefits from H.R. 8914?
Taxpayers worried about quiet political settlements
If you do not want federal money used for a named Trump-related settlement fund or for payouts to top political insiders, this bill is written for that concern.
Congressional overseers
House and Senate Judiciary leaders would get a new window into six-figure and larger settlement payments, including who got paid, which agencies approved it, and why.
Lawmakers who want case-by-case control
Instead of automatic payment through the Judgment Fund, Congress could force some disputed claims back into the appropriations process one claim at a time.
Who is affected by H.R. 8914?
Plaintiffs in the named Trump IRS settlement
They are directly affected because H.R. 8914 cuts off federal money for the specific compensation fund tied to that May 18, 2026 agreement.
Current and former White House insiders
Presidents, vice presidents, close relatives, Cabinet officials, senior White House staff, political appointees, and some former officials could be barred from collecting covered federal settlements.
Treasury and Justice Department officials
Treasury would have new reporting and delay requirements at the $100,000 and $250,000 thresholds, while the Attorney General could be tasked with suing to stop or claw back prohibited payments.
Claimants in politically charged cases
People seeking payouts tied to January 6-related prosecutions, the 2016 election interference investigations, or claims mirroring a previously dismissed case could be excluded.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 8914 has come up 7 times in the Congressional Record so far.
H.R. 8914 also appeared in 1 more House floor reference and 6 routine cosponsor filings.
HR8914 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
May 20, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Jamie Raskin
Democrat, Maryland's 8th congressional district · 9 years in Congress
Committees: the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors (106)
All 106 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 32 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 29 more.
Bennie Thompson
Democrat · MS
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Steve Cohen
Democrat · TN
Johnny Olszewski
Democrat · MD
Becca Balint
Democrat · VT
Shri Thanedar
Democrat · MI
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Democrat · CA
Jerrold Nadler
Democrat · NY
Jesús García
Democrat · IL
Analilia Mejia
Democrat · NJ
Yassamin Ansari
Democrat · AZ
Stephen Lynch
Democrat · MA
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
16 of 44 committee members cosponsored
3 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 8914 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- May 20, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 20, 2026
Official Sources
The official Congress.gov page is the primary source for the bill’s text, status, sponsor, and actions.
H.R. 8914 amends 31 U.S.C. 1304, the statute governing the Judgment Fund and payment of certain settlements and awards.
The Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service administers the federal Judgment Fund that this bill would restrict for certain payments.
GAO’s appropriations law resources provide official background on how permanent indefinite appropriations like the Judgment Fund operate.
The bill references Executive Office employees paid at or above GS-15-equivalent levels, making OPM pay guidance useful for understanding who may be covered.
The bill covers certain Executive Office of the President employees and senior officials who could be barred from receiving covered payouts.
The Attorney General would be empowered under the bill to seek court action to stop or recover prohibited payments.
H.R. 8914 Common Questions
What does H.R. 8914 actually block?
It blocks federal money for a named May 18, 2026 Trump-related settlement fund and bars some Judgment Fund payouts to presidents, family members, top aides, and certain entities they own.
Does H.R. 8914 only target one Trump case?
No. It names one specific settlement fund, but it also creates broader rules for future federal settlement and award payments involving presidents, senior officials, and certain types of claims.
Would the bill apply to older settlements too?
Yes. The draft analysis says H.R. 8914 would apply to settlements or awards made on or after January 20, 2025, so the retroactive reach is one of the main legal and political flashpoints.
Who could no longer receive these federal payouts?
The bill covers the President, Vice President, their parent, spouse, child, child's spouse, Cabinet members, senior White House staff, political appointees, and some former officials from that administration.
Are businesses linked to a president covered too?
Yes. H.R. 8914 includes some entities the President or Vice President owns. A widely held company may be exempt if they own 5% or less and other ownership conditions are met.
What settlement size triggers a report to Congress?
Any covered payment above $100,000. Treasury would have 30 days to send details to the top members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
When does the 120-day delay kick in?
For covered payments above $250,000, or for payments tied to imminent litigation. Treasury would have to notify Congress first, then wait 120 days before the money could go out.
What happens if a prohibited payment is made anyway?
The Attorney General could go to court to stop the payment or seek repayment after the fact.
Based on H.R. 8914 bill text
H.R. 8914 Bill Text
“To amend section 1304 of title 31, United States Code to restrict payments for compromise settlements or awards.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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