Corruption Clawback Act

Recover Treasury payments to Presidents

If enacted, the bill would define a “covered payment” as part of a settlement, administrative award (including under 28 U.S.C. 2672), or court judgment paid from the U.S. Treasury or under 31 U.S.C. 1304 to someone when they served as President. It would apply only to claims or settlements filed or reached on or after January 20, 2025. The bill would require the Attorney General to sue in the Court of Federal Claims or the D.C. Circuit to recover any covered payment. Courts would weigh three factors when deciding if a payment was made because someone was President: who negotiated or authorized it, whether the amount is larger than typical payouts, and whether usual legal defenses were bypassed. Money recovered would be used by the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section. The Comptroller General would have to report to Congress within 180 days after any covered payment over $1,000,000 is made and include the listed considerations.