WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), made the following statement today about the U.S. House of Representatives passing the “Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016,” (H.R. 5063):

“The Constitution gives Congress alone the power of the purse, but the DOJ and other government agencies have thwarted this through their use of settlement slush funds to funnel money to third party political allies.

“This practice should be stopped, and we commend the House for passing Chairman Goodlatte’s Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016. We urge the Senate to act on this bill swiftly.

“Enforcement officials should pursue justice in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the public interest, and not by how much money they can generate for third party allies.”

The U.S. Chamber sent a Key Vote letter in support of the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016, which can be found here.

ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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