STOP the SWAMP Act

S. 5228 — STOP the SWAMP Act would change the rules for witnesses who are summoned to testify before a committee of either house of Congress. Currently, a witness who refuses to answer a pertinent question can face criminal penalties; this bill adds that such a person would also be debarred from federal employment. It creates a similar debarment for anyone who is "finally convicted" (after any appeal is exhausted) of perjury or of making false statements to the government in connection with that testimony. A federal employee found in violation would also be removed from the civil service, though any debarment would be subject to judicial review. Separately, the bill revises the procedure for withholding a federal employee's salary after facts about their conduct are referred to a U.S. attorney, allowing a broader set of members of Congress to introduce a privileged joint resolution to rescind that funding, with a fast-track timeline for committee action and floor votes in both chambers.

The bill primarily affects federal employees who testify before Congress, congressional committees handling such testimony, and the Appropriations Committees, which would process any resulting salary-rescission resolutions.

The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 4, 2026, by Senator Roger Marshall and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It would need committee action, passage by both the Senate and House, and the President's signature to become law; no further action has occurred yet.

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