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119-hr-8126119th CongressWALLET

Congressional Accountability Act Enhancement Act

Sponsored By: Representative Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

Introduced

Summary

Members must reimburse the Treasury for settlements and awards tied to discrimination they personally commit. It would also expand how claims can be amended and allow the Office of Employee Advocacy to help employees who file civil actions.

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  • Members of Congress would have to repay the Treasury for settlement payments and awards arising from employment discrimination they personally commit. The reimbursable set specifically covers violations of section 201(a) or 206(a) and related intimidation or retaliation under section 207, and applies to claims made on or after enactment.
  • Covered employees told their claim is not covered or does not state a claim could file an amended claim within 10 days for another preliminary review. If they miss the 10-day window or the amended claim still fails, they forfeit a formal hearing and receive written notice that they may file a civil action under section 408.
  • The Office of Employee Advocacy could provide assistance to a covered employee in investigations or proceedings when the employee files a civil action, including after filing, notwithstanding House Rule 724(c). The change is placed among House rules and recognizes the House's authority to alter procedural rules in the same way as other rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More advocacy help for House employees

If enacted, the Office of Employee Advocacy would be allowed to help House covered employees with investigations or proceedings under the Congressional Accountability Act. This help could be provided at any time, including after the employee files a civil action. The change would be permitted despite House Rule 724(c) and would take effect upon enactment.

Right to amend a CAA claim

If enacted, someone whose Congressional Accountability Act claim receives a preliminary review saying they are not covered or did not state a claim would be allowed to file an amended claim. The amended claim must be filed within 10 days after the hearing officer's preliminary report and is reviewed the same way as the original claim. If no amended claim is filed within 10 days, or the amended claim still fails, the person would not get a formal hearing and must be told they may file a civil action instead. These rules would apply to claims filed on or after enactment.

Members must repay certain settlements

If enacted, Members of Congress and other House employing offices would have to reimburse the Treasury for amounts paid as settlements, awards, or claims that arise from specified employment violations. The bill would expand reimbursable matters to include violations described in sections 201(a) and 206(a) and would treat intimidation, reprisal, or discrimination tied to such claims (under section 207) as covered violations. These reimbursement rules would apply to claims made on or after the date of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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