BLANCHE Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9210
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-09: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes restrictions on settlement agreements resolving claims filed by the President against the United States. Its goal is to prevent the President or third parties from receiving payments from the federal government through such agreements without court oversight.
Key Provisions
- Prohibits any settlement agreement in which the President (while in office or after leaving) or a third party directed by the President would receive cash or in-kind payments from the United States, including for damages, reimbursement, or attorneys' fees.
- Declares such agreements void from the beginning unless a federal court issues an order approving them after specific procedures.
- Requires the President to file a civil action and submit proposed settlement terms to the court.
- Mandates a court hearing with evidence presentation, after which the court must make explicit findings that: the parties are truly adverse, the lawsuit was not filed to force a settlement, the United States acted in good faith with a reasonable legal basis, the agreement is not collusive or fraudulent, and the agreement serves the interest of justice.
- Applies to any such agreement made before, on, or after the date of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new section 2414a to Chapter 161 of Title 28 of the United States Code, creating specific rules for presidential settlements that did not previously exist. It introduces mandatory judicial review and findings for these agreements, overriding standard settlement practices between the government and claimants.
Potential Impacts
- Limits the ability of the executive branch to resolve claims involving the President without court intervention, potentially increasing litigation costs and delays for federal agencies.
- Affects the President's personal legal claims against the government by requiring public court scrutiny.
- May influence how government resources are allocated in settlements, ensuring greater transparency in cases involving the highest executive officeholder.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The sitting President and former Presidents with pending claims.
- Federal courts responsible for reviewing and approving agreements.
- The Department of Justice and other executive agencies handling claims against the United States.
- Taxpayers, as the rules concern use of public funds in settlements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Introduces judicial oversight into executive branch settlement decisions involving the President, raising potential separation of powers considerations between branches of government.
- Aims to address concerns about self-dealing or improper use of government funds by requiring explicit court validation that agreements are legitimate and not collusive.
- Applies retroactively, which could affect existing or previously resolved claims.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-09: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Block Lawless Agreements and Nullify Corrupt Handouts and Emoluments Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (4 pages)