No Campaign Funded Cover-Ups Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
- Committees
- Committee on House Administration (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 27, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to prevent the use of political funds for personal legal liabilities stemming from sexual misconduct claims, enhancing transparency and accountability for federal officeholders and candidates.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits federal candidates and officeholders from using campaign contributions or legal expense funds to pay legal fees, settlements, judgments, or costs for private investigators and opposition research related to claims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment. It also mandates new, detailed reporting requirements for legal expenses disbursed by authorized committees, and applies these prohibitions retroactively to payments made within two years prior to enactment.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill increases accountability for public officials, prevents the misuse of donor funds for personal misconduct, and promotes transparency in legal expenditures related to serious allegations. It ensures that individuals, not their political donors, bear the financial responsibility for such claims, fostering greater public trust in government ethics.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that restricting the use of legal defense funds could disproportionately impact candidates or officeholders facing politically motivated or false accusations, potentially hindering their ability to mount a robust defense. Some might also raise concerns about the fairness and legality of the retroactive application, as it penalizes actions that were legal at the time they occurred.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick but thorough review by an informed reader.
Section 2(a)
Prohibition on Payment of Legal Fees for Sexual Misconduct Claims
This provision forbids federal candidates and officeholders from using money from their legal expense funds or campaign committees to pay legal fees incurred while defending against claims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment. However, if the individual is subsequently held not liable for such a claim, they are permitted to be reimbursed for these legal fees from the fund or committee.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this ensures personal accountability, preventing individuals from using funds intended for political activity or public service to cover personal legal liabilities for serious misconduct.
Critics contend
Critics might contend this could financially cripple individuals facing potentially false or politically motivated accusations, as legal defense costs can be substantial, especially for high-profile cases, before a verdict of non-liability is reached.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the principle of personal accountability for misconduct against the potential burden on individuals to defend themselves against allegations, regardless of their veracity, by requiring personal funding upfront.
Section 2(b)
Prohibition on Payment of Settlements and Judgments for Sexual Misconduct Claims
This section amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to explicitly state that using campaign contributions or legal expense funds to pay settlements or court-ordered judgments related to sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment claims constitutes a 'personal use' of funds. This redefinition effectively bans such payments from these sources.
Section 2(c)
Prohibition on Payments for Private Investigators and Opposition Research Against Accusers
This provision further amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to classify the use of campaign contributions or legal expense funds as 'personal use' if they are spent on private investigators or opposition research aimed at discrediting individuals who have brought sexual assault, abuse, or harassment claims against the candidate or officeholder.
Section 2(d)
Retroactive Application of Prohibitions
This provision stipulates that all prohibitions outlined in Section 2 (regarding legal fees, settlements, judgments, private investigators, and opposition research) will apply retroactively to any payment made within two years prior to the date the Act is enacted.
Section 3
Enhanced Reporting Requirements for Legal Expenses
This section amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to add new reporting requirements for authorized committees. For any disbursement for a legal fee, service, or expense, committees must now report the recipient's name, date and amount, a brief description of the general nature and purpose of the legal matter, the specific purpose of the disbursement (e.g., representation, settlement, judgment), and the name of any person whose legal expenses were paid if different from the recipient.