# 119-hr-8126: Congressional Accountability Act Enhancement Act

119-hr-8126, Congressional Accountability Act Enhancement Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (D-PA); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8126
- As of: 2026-09-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-8126
- Congress: 119
- Title: Congressional Accountability Act Enhancement Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-03-26
- Sponsor: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (D-PA)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Policy area: Congress
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-21

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (5)

- Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] (D-IL), 2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2026-04-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2026-05-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6] (D-WA), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- More advocacy help for House employees: benefit, low. 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 despi…
- Right to amend a CAA claim: benefit, low. 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 reviewe…
- Members must repay certain settlements: mixed, low. 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) an…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-hr-5361: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-8126 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8126)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7853)
- [119-hr-5361: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5361)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8126 (as of 2026-09-21).