H.R. 9355: Don't Settle for Corruption Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill would change how the federal government handles certain legal settlements, specifically settlements involving the President or a former President suing the United States, or suing federal agencies or officials over obligations or liabilities of the United States.

What the bill would do

It keeps the basic rule that the Treasury pays final judgments and ordinary compromise settlements against the federal government in a manner similar to current law.
It creates a new category called a covered settlement, which includes compromise settlements connected to defense of imminent litigation or suits brought by the President or a former President against the United States, or against its agencies or officials.
For these covered settlements, payment could not be approved automatically.
The Attorney General would have to send Congress a report describing the terms of the settlement, with an identification number, and submit it to both chambers the same day.
A covered settlement would only be approved if Congress passes a joint resolution approving it within 60 days after receiving the report.
The joint resolution would need to specifically identify the settlement number and the date it was submitted.

Practical effect

In practical terms, the bill would give Congress a chance to review and approve certain settlements involving a President or former President before the federal government can pay them. This would add a layer of congressional oversight for those specific cases, while leaving most other government judgments and settlements under existing procedures.