hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Allows Attorney General to recover questionable payments made to former presidents.
Sen. Schiff (D-CA) introduced with Senators Hirono, Durbin, Duckworth.
Introduced in Senate, referred to Judiciary Committee.
This bill allows the Attorney General to sue a former President to recover certain payments made from the U.S. Treasury if those payments were improperly influenced by their presidential status. Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, introduced the bill along with Senators Hirono, Durbin, and Duckworth. It was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review, which is the first step in the legislative process before it can be considered for a vote.
Introduced Mar 12, 2026
The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 12, 2026, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. For it to become law, the committee must approve it, then it needs to pass a full Senate vote. If it passes the Senate, it would then go to the House of Representatives for their consideration and vote, and finally to the President for signature.
If this bill passes, any payments from the U.S. Treasury to a former President that were improperly influenced by their position could be recovered and returned to the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section. This means a direct impact on the government's ability to ensure accountability for how public funds are used, potentially affecting future government payouts. Additionally, the Comptroller General would be required to report to Congress on significant payments, increasing transparency around such transactions.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue this bill ensures accountability and prevents misuse of power by former Presidents.
Critics Say
Critics might argue this bill targets specific individuals or creates an overly broad definition of improper payments.
Those in favor would likely emphasize the importance of upholding the integrity of the presidency and protecting taxpayer funds from potential abuse. They might see it as a necessary tool to address conflicts of interest. Potential critics could express concerns about politicizing legal processes, or the broad discretion given to the Attorney General in initiating lawsuits, though the bill specifies payments only for claims filed on or after January 20, 2025.