Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Responsible Settlements for Victims and Taxpayers Act”.
Responsible Settlements for Victims and Taxpayers Act
A BILL
To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to require Members of Congress to reimburse the Treasury for amounts paid as awards and settlements under such Act in connection with violations of such Act consisting of acts of sexual harassment or sexual assault committed personally by Members of Congress.
Sec. 2 Personal liability of Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards under Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
Mandating reimbursement of amounts paid— Section 415 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1415) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“(d) Personal liability of Members of Congress for payment of settlements and awards
“(1) Reimbursement of amounts paid—If a payment is made from the account described in subsection (a) for an award or settlement resulting from a violation of part A of title II consisting of an act of sexual harassment or sexual assault committed personally by a Member of the House of Representatives or a Senator, the Member or Senator shall reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement.
“(2) Use of Thrift Savings Plan agency contribution as source of reimbursement—If a Member or Senator has not met the requirements of paragraph (1) with respect to an award or settlement by the end of the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date the award or settlement is paid, the Secretary of the Treasury shall—
“(A) withhold the agency contribution otherwise payable under section 8432(c)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code, to such Member of Senator until an amount is collected equal to the award or settlement (reduced by any amount the Member or Senator has reimbursed); and
“(B) transfer to the account described in subsection (a) such amount withheld under subparagraph (A).
“(3) Consultation—The Secretary of the Treasury shall carry out paragraph (2) in consultation with the Executive Director of the Thrift Savings Board and—
“(A) the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, in the case of a Member of the House of Representatives; or
“(B) the Secretary of the Senate, in the case of a Senator.”
Effective date— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to payments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.