No Presidential Self-Serving Lawsuits Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 8968

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-01T08:09:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose The legislation aims to bar the President from initiating civil lawsuits against the United States and to nullify a specific ongoing settlement involving federal funds.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on lawsuits: A sitting President is explicitly barred from filing any civil action against the United States.
• Voiding of settlement: The settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 1:26-cv-20609 (S.D. Fla.) is declared void.
• Restrictions on federal funds: No compensation fund may be created to resolve such a lawsuit, and no federal funds may be used to carry out the referenced settlement.
• Recovery authority: The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to recover any federal funds spent in violation of these rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new statutory prohibition that prevents the President from suing the federal government in civil court, a restriction not present in current law. It also directly invalidates one specific settlement agreement and imposes targeted spending limits on federal resources tied to presidential litigation.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Limits the ability of the executive branch to use civil litigation against other federal entities and restricts use of Treasury funds for related settlements.
• Citizens and taxpayers: Prevents the expenditure of public funds on compensation or settlements arising from presidential lawsuits against the United States.
• International relations: No direct effects are addressed in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• The President (current and future officeholders).
• The Department of Justice and other federal agencies involved in defending civil suits.
• The Internal Revenue Service (due to the named case).
• Congress (as the body imposing the new limits).
• U.S. taxpayers (through restrictions on federal spending).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure raises questions about the separation of powers by limiting the President’s access to the courts as a litigant. It also directly interferes with an ongoing judicial proceeding by voiding a settlement, which could affect judicial independence in that specific matter.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

Cosponsors (39)

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Presidential Self-Serving Lawsuits Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (2 pages)