Legis Daily

Swalwell Act

USA119th CongressHR-8300| House 
| Updated: 4/15/2026
Paul A. Gosar

Paul A. Gosar

Republican Representative

Arizona

Cosponsors (10)
Tim Burchett (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Andy Biggs (Republican)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Clay Fuller (Republican)Anna Paulina Luna (Republican)John Joyce (Republican)Lauren Boebert (Republican)Mark E. Amodei (Republican)Randy Fine (Republican)

Committee on House Administration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for any settlement, award, or judgment arising from claims of workplace misconduct by Members of Congress or senior staff. Workplace misconduct is broadly defined to include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other violations of employment or civil rights laws. Instead, any Member or senior staff found liable for, or entering into a settlement resolving, such a claim must be personally responsible for the full amount, with no direct or indirect reimbursement from federal or campaign funds. They must also certify under penalty of perjury that no public funds were used for these payments. To enhance transparency, the bill mandates the creation of a publicly accessible, searchable database detailing all past and future settlements related to workplace misconduct claims involving Members or senior staff, including the individual's name, settlement amount, date, and general nature of the claim. This database explicitly prohibits the inclusion of any personally identifiable information of victims or complainants. Furthermore, any allegation of conduct by a Member or senior staff that may constitute a federal criminal law violation must be promptly referred to the Department of Justice for review, and no settlement agreement or nondisclosure agreement can prevent or delay such a referral. Violations of this Act by Members of Congress or senior staff will result in a civil penalty equal to at least 200 percent of the improperly paid amount and referral to the appropriate Ethics Committee for further disciplinary action. The Attorney General is authorized to bring civil actions to enforce compliance with the Act. The bill also clarifies that it does not limit the rights of victims to pursue claims or receive compensation, nor does it require the disclosure of a victim's identity without their express written consent.
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Timeline
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • April 15, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 15, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Congress

Swalwell Act

USA119th CongressHR-8300| House 
| Updated: 4/15/2026
This legislation prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for any settlement, award, or judgment arising from claims of workplace misconduct by Members of Congress or senior staff. Workplace misconduct is broadly defined to include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other violations of employment or civil rights laws. Instead, any Member or senior staff found liable for, or entering into a settlement resolving, such a claim must be personally responsible for the full amount, with no direct or indirect reimbursement from federal or campaign funds. They must also certify under penalty of perjury that no public funds were used for these payments. To enhance transparency, the bill mandates the creation of a publicly accessible, searchable database detailing all past and future settlements related to workplace misconduct claims involving Members or senior staff, including the individual's name, settlement amount, date, and general nature of the claim. This database explicitly prohibits the inclusion of any personally identifiable information of victims or complainants. Furthermore, any allegation of conduct by a Member or senior staff that may constitute a federal criminal law violation must be promptly referred to the Department of Justice for review, and no settlement agreement or nondisclosure agreement can prevent or delay such a referral. Violations of this Act by Members of Congress or senior staff will result in a civil penalty equal to at least 200 percent of the improperly paid amount and referral to the appropriate Ethics Committee for further disciplinary action. The Attorney General is authorized to bring civil actions to enforce compliance with the Act. The bill also clarifies that it does not limit the rights of victims to pursue claims or receive compensation, nor does it require the disclosure of a victim's identity without their express written consent.
View Full Text

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Timeline
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • April 15, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 15, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Paul A. Gosar

Paul A. Gosar

Republican Representative

Arizona

Cosponsors (10)
Tim Burchett (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Andy Biggs (Republican)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Clay Fuller (Republican)Anna Paulina Luna (Republican)John Joyce (Republican)Lauren Boebert (Republican)Mark E. Amodei (Republican)Randy Fine (Republican)

Committee on House Administration

Congress

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted