No Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 6, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to prevent federal taxpayer money from compensating individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6th Capitol breach for any alleged harm related to those events or their subsequent prosecution.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds, including amounts from the Judgment Fund, to pay legal settlements to individuals who have been convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer in connection with the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This prohibition applies to claims based on alleged harm suffered during those events or from prosecution for related offenses.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that it is fundamentally inappropriate and an affront to justice to use taxpayer funds to compensate individuals who have been convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers during a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. They contend that such payments would effectively reward criminal behavior and undermine the rule of law, sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated or subsidized by the government.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent is understandable, broadly prohibiting settlements could potentially infringe upon due process rights or the ability of individuals to seek redress for legitimate grievances, even if they were involved in other criminal acts. They might also raise concerns about the precedent of legislatively restricting access to the Judgment Fund for specific classes of individuals or events, potentially leading to politicized exclusions in the future.
The bill is exceptionally short and clearly written, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its core purpose quickly.
Section 2(b)
Prohibition on Federal Settlements for January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters
This section explicitly forbids the use of any federal money, including funds from the U.S. Treasury's Judgment Fund, to pay legal settlements to individuals who have been convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer in connection with the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. This prohibition covers claims for harm allegedly suffered during the January 6th events or as a result of their prosecution for related offenses. A 'covered individual' is defined as someone convicted of an offense involving assaulting a law enforcement officer, including specific federal and D.C. statutes.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision ensures taxpayer funds are not used to compensate individuals who engaged in violent acts against law enforcement during an attack on democratic institutions. They believe it upholds justice for the officers assaulted and prevents a perceived misuse of public resources.
Critics contend
Opponents might contend that while the actions of these individuals are reprehensible, a blanket prohibition on settlements could potentially deny legitimate claims for harm, however rare, or set a problematic precedent for how the government handles legal liabilities, potentially inviting future legislative interference in judicial processes.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the desire to prevent perceived rewards for criminal behavior against the broader principle of allowing individuals to seek legal redress for alleged harm, even if they have committed other offenses, and the standard operation of the Judgment Fund.