On the recordSeptember 7, 2016
I am pleased today to bring forward this rule on behalf of the Rules Committee. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5063, the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee and also provides a motion to recommit. Additionally, the rule makes in order 7 of the 11 amendments submitted, representing ideas from Members on both sides of the aisle. Yesterday, the Rules Committee received testimony from the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law. Subcommittee hearings were held on both H.R. 5063 and on the topic of the Department of Justice's mortgage lending settlements with major lending banks. In May of this year, H.R. 5063 was marked up and reported by the Judiciary Committee. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee after the consideration of several amendments. The Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act went through regular order and enjoyed thorough discussion at both the subcommittee and full committee level. H.R. 5063 is supported by the Institute for Legal Reform, Americans for Limited Government, and Americans for Tax Reform because it increases accountability for how settlement funds are spent and it helps to restore the balance of power between the branches of government.…
