The Swalwell Act prohibits Congress from using taxpayer funds to pay settlements or judgments for workplace misconduct claims involving Members of Congress or senior congressional staff, instead requiring them to pay such settlements personally from their own funds. The bill mandates that Congress establish a publicly searchable database disclosing the names of members or staff involved in settlements, the amounts paid, and general descriptions of claims within 30 days of resolution, while protecting victims' identities. Within 180 days of enactment, Congress must also publicly disclose all workplace misconduct settlements paid with federal funds dating back to 1995. The legislation requires that any allegations potentially involving federal crimes be referred to the Department of Justice and prohibits settlement agreements or nondisclosure clauses from blocking such referrals. Members or staff who violate the law face civil penalties of at least 200 percent of improperly paid amounts and potential disciplinary action by their respective Ethics Committees.
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