A bill to prohibit funds made available to the Department of Justice from being used to make a personal payment to the President in connection with a claim that is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act, whether in the form of a settlement or any other payment from the Judgment Fund for the personal benefit of the President.
- Bill Number
- S. 4124
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 359.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-30T15:14:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Bill Summary: S. 4124
Purpose
This bill aims to prevent the use of federal funds to provide personal financial benefits to the President through claims handled under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), a law that allows individuals to seek compensation from the U.S. government for injuries caused by federal employees acting within their duties. Specifically, it blocks payments from the Judgment Fund—a permanent appropriation used to pay certain court judgments and settlements against the government—from being directed personally to the President.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Fund Use: No funds available to the Department of Justice (DOJ), whether before, on, or after the bill's enactment, can be used to approve or facilitate any FTCA claim (under Chapter 171 of Title 28, U.S. Code) that results in a personal payment to the President.
- Scope of Payments: This includes settlements or any other payments from the Judgment Fund (under Section 1304 of Title 31, U.S. Code) that would personally benefit the President.
- Enactment Details: Introduced by Senator Schumer on March 17, 2026, and placed on the Senate calendar on March 18, 2026, in the 119th Congress, 2nd Session.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces a targeted restriction on the FTCA and Judgment Fund processes, which previously allowed the DOJ to handle and settle tort claims against the government without specific exclusions for the President's personal benefit.
- It does not alter the core FTCA framework but adds a safeguard to ensure that tort claim resolutions cannot be used to funnel money personally to the sitting President, closing a potential loophole in how federal liability is managed.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DOJ would face new limitations in processing certain claims, potentially requiring additional review or denial of settlements involving the President, which could increase administrative burdens or lead to more litigation if claims are challenged.
- On Citizens: Individuals filing FTCA claims unrelated to the President would see no direct change, but those with claims potentially benefiting the President might be unable to pursue or receive such payments, affecting access to government compensation in specific scenarios.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic tort claims and federal payments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Justice: Directly restricted in using funds for approving relevant claims.
- The President: Prohibited from receiving personal payments via FTCA settlements or the Judgment Fund.
- Claimants Under FTCA: Individuals or entities suing the government for torts, particularly if their claims could indirectly or directly benefit the President.
- U.S. Taxpayers: Indirectly affected, as the bill protects the Judgment Fund from uses that could be seen as personal enrichment, potentially preserving public resources.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces separation of government functions by limiting the DOJ's discretion in FTCA cases, potentially setting a precedent for restricting executive branch benefits from federal liabilities; it may invite court challenges on whether the prohibition unconstitutionally singles out the President.
- Constitutional: Aligns with principles of accountability and preventing conflicts of interest (e.g., under the Emoluments Clause or anti-corruption norms), but could raise questions about equal protection if viewed as targeting a specific office without broader application.
- Political: As a narrowly focused bill introduced by the Senate Majority Leader, it may signal concerns over executive accountability, potentially influencing debates on presidential immunity, ethics, or use of federal funds during an election cycle or amid high-profile legal cases.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 359.
- 2026-03-17: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 2026-03-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To prohibit funds made available to the Department of Justice from being used to make a personal payment to the President in connection with a claim that is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act, whether in the form of a settlement or any other payment from the Judgment Fund for the personal benefit of the President. — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (4 pages)