No Gratuities for Governing Act of 2026
Creates a federal crime for certain valuable payments tied to official acts and raises the maximum prison term for an existing offense.
In the Senate Judiciary Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 12 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal law covers some misconduct connected to organizations and governments that receive federal funds. The bill would create a separate crime for certain valuable payments tied to official acts, increase the maximum prison term for an existing offense, and apply forfeiture laws to the new crime.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Creates an illegal-gratuities offense
It would make it a crime to knowingly and purposefully give, offer, or promise at least $1,000 to an agent—or for an agent to seek or accept at least $1,000 personally—for or because of an official act tied to a qualifying transaction worth at least $5,000. The penalty would be a fine, up to two years in prison, or both.
- Raises the maximum prison term
For offenses under the existing subsection (a) of 18 U.S.C. § 666, it would raise the maximum prison term from 10 years to 15 years.
- Applies forfeiture laws to gratuities
It would make the new illegal-gratuities offense subject to the federal civil and criminal forfeiture provisions cited in the bill.
The bill addresses payments made for or because of official acts connected to organizations and governments. It would define a separate federal offense for covered gratuities and increase the maximum prison term for offenses under the existing subsection (a), changing the potential criminal consequences of conduct covered by the law.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026SENATESEP 24, 2026By Sen. Kim with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Judiciary
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 24, 2026JUDICIARY NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 12 daysNo hearing yet
- 12 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 12, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Kim’s record: sponsored 48 bills this Congress. 0 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Cory A. BookerD-NJORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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