Bill · S. 1069· Senate(119-S-1069)
RECLAIM Act
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ashley Moody
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the RECLAIM Act, seeks to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It changes how the government handles federal financial assistance when a recipient is found to be in noncompliance. Under this act, the effects of noncompliance would apply to an entire program or activity rather than just a specific part. It also requires recipients to repay federal financial assistance provided during a fiscal year in which they are found noncompliant. Additionally, the bill establishes restrictions on providing further assistance if a court issues an injunction.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+7
The bill significantly expands federal authority to recoup funds and suspend assistance for entire programs.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this put more money into public schools?-5
The bill creates significant financial risk for institutions receiving federal aid through mandatory repayment requirements.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-4
The broad application of penalties and mandatory repayment regardless of fund expenditure may challenge established due process norms.
Does this make college cost less?-3
The threat of repayment and fund suspension may negatively impact the financial stability of educational institutions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Broadened scope of enforcement: Under Section 2, the impact of noncompliance would extend to the entire program or activity where the noncompliance was found, rather than being limited to only the specific program or part involved.
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Requirement for repayment: Section 3 requires a recipient to repay any Federal financial assistance provided for a program or activity during a fiscal year in which they are found to be in noncompliance, regardless of whether the money has already been spent.
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Strict oversight of injunctions: Section 4 mandates that if a court issues an injunction regarding a violation, the Federal department or agency must stop providing financial assistance to the recipient until the court certifies compliance or one year has passed.
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Inter-agency communication: Section 4(b)(2) requires the Federal department or agency to notify other Federal departments and agencies about a court-issued injunction.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial burden of repayment: According to Section 3, recipients may be required to repay the amount of Federal financial assistance for a program or activity if they are found in noncompliance, even if the funds have already been expended.
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Suspension of assistance due to injunctions: Section 4(b)(1) dictates that a Federal department or agency shall not provide any Federal financial assistance to a recipient after a court issues an injunction until the recipient is certified as being in compliance or one year has passed.
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Broad application of penalties: Section 2 changes the law so that the termination of assistance applies to the entire program or activity in which noncompliance is found, rather than limiting it to the specific part where the issue occurred.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding-5Improves College Affordability-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+7Improves Due Process-4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students-2
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate