[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                STOP SETTLEMENT SLUSH FUNDS ACT OF 2023

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2024

  Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 788.
  H.R. 788 would prevent the Department of Justice from negotiating 
settlements in court cases to include payments to third parties, such 
as nonprofits, community organizations, trusts, or foundations. This 
redirection of funds is especially important in cases when harm is 
difficult to monetize, such as assessing damage to the environment or 
unknown health outcomes to individuals resulting from chemical 
exposures. In these cases, third parties are able to utilize the small 
portion of settlements they receive to help rectify the harm done by 
the plaintiff. For example, after the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of 
Mexico, $20 million was redirected to groups aiming to restore the 
health of the Gulf--one way to further remedy the environmental harm 
caused by BP. It is critical the federal government retains its ability 
invest in harm remediation while holding bad actors accountable.
  Congress should not be undermining the Department of Justice's 
ability to hold corporations accountable when they do harm to the 
public. The federal government must retain all its tools in its effort 
to protect the public interest and enforce our nation's laws. Instead 
of undermining the ability to settle cases with just outcomes for those 
impacted, we should be focused on passing legislation that serves the 
needs of the American people.

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