Today, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) supported the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, which holds the Executive Branch accountable for its practices and ensures any money recovered by the federal government goes back into the hands of Americans.

“After a 20 month long investigation by my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee, it was discovered that the Department of Justice (DOJ) unlawfully directed nearly half-a-billion dollars intended for victims of federal lawsuits into the hands of left leaning organizations,” Luetkemeyer said. “Not only do these payments happen outside of the Congressional appropriations process, but the DOJ is using mandatory donations to restore funding that Congress has specifically cut. It is critical for Congress to maintain its power of the purse and keep a check on the DOJ’s unconstitutional practices.”

Specifically, the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act prohibits settlement terms that require donations to third parties. It explicitly clarifies that payments to provide restitution for harm caused to victims, including harm to the environment, are not donations. In addition, it ensures settlement money goes either directly to the victims or to the Department of Treasury for elected representatives to decide how it is spent.