§1977 Settlement and Payment of Tort Claims

Summary

The Chief of the Capitol Police may handle and settle money claims against the United States for property damage, injury, or death caused by Capitol Police employees acting on the job. The Chief must follow rules from the Attorney General and any rules the Capitol Police Board makes, and must act under the Federal Tort Claims Act (chapter 171 of title 28). If the claimant is a Member of Congress or a congressional employee, the Chief must tell the applicable Committee chair within 14 days and send a settlement proposal within 90 days. The chair can extend that 90 days once, up to 90 more days, for good cause. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration handles Senate claims; the House Committee on House Administration handles House claims. The Chief is the agency head for purposes of 28 U.S.C. 2672. The Board can make rules for employee property- loss claims under 31 U.S.C. 3721. This rule has applied since fiscal year 2005 and does not change certain other payment or settlement authorities, including 31 U.S.C. 1304 and sections 1414 and 1415.