Swalwell Act
Sponsored By: Representative Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
Introduced
Summary
Stops taxpayer-funded settlements for workplace misconduct by Members of Congress and senior staff. This bill would make those officials personally liable for settlements, require public reporting of payouts, and force prompt criminal referrals.
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- Workers and complainants would see settlement details published in a searchable database while their personal identities remain protected. Disclosures must be posted within 30 days of resolution and retroactive reports are due within 180 days for public-fund payouts since January 1, 1995.
- Members of Congress and covered senior staff would be personally responsible for the full amount of any settlement or award and could not be reimbursed with federal funds or campaign money. They must certify under penalty of perjury that no public funds were used and face civil penalties of at least 200 percent for improper payments.
- The Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate would maintain the database listing the official, total amount, date, and nature of the claim. The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights or the relevant ethics committee must promptly refer potential crimes to the Department of Justice and nondisclosure agreements may not delay referrals.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory DOJ referrals for misconduct
If enacted, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights or the House or Senate ethics committees would have to promptly refer allegations that may be federal crimes by Members or senior staff to the Department of Justice. Settlement agreements, nondisclosure agreements, or internal congressional processes could not prevent or delay those referrals. Referrals would not depend on the complainant's consent.
Public database and privacy rules
If enacted, the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate would keep a public, searchable database of settled or decided workplace misconduct claims involving Members or senior staff. Each entry would show the Member or staff name, the total settlement or award amount, the date of resolution, and a short description of the claim. New entries would be posted within 30 days of resolution. Within 180 days of enactment, they would publish all settlements and awards paid with public funds since January 1, 1995. The database and retroactive disclosures would not include victims' personal identifying information without the victim's written consent, and victims would keep their rights to pursue claims.
Personal liability and penalties for officials
If enacted, any Member of Congress or senior staff found liable for, or who settles, a workplace misconduct claim would have to pay the full settlement or award themselves. Federal funds and campaign funds could not be used to reimburse those payments. They would have to certify under penalty of perjury that no public funds were used. Any improper public payment would trigger a civil penalty of not less than 200 percent of the amount improperly paid and be referred to the appropriate House or Senate Ethics Committee. The Attorney General could bring civil actions to enforce compliance. The bill would define 'Member of Congress' to include Delegates and the Resident Commissioner and would define 'senior staff' by the specified federal filing requirement at the time of the violation.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
AZ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
AZ • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
TN • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Tiffany
WI • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Joyce (PA)
PA • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Amodei (NV)
NV • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14]
GA • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov