2 U.S.C. § 1977 Settlement and Payment of Tort Claims

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)
• Citation: 2 U.S.C. § 1977

(a) Federal Tort Claims Act

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Chief of the Capitol Police, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General and any regulations as the Capitol Police Board may prescribe, may consider, ascertain, determine, compromise, adjust, and settle, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 171 of title 28, any claim for money damages against the United States for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Capitol Police while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.

(2) Special rule for claims made by Members of Congress and congressional employees

(A) In general

With respect to any claim described in paragraph (1) which is made by a Member of Congress or any officer or employee of Congress, the Chief of the Capitol Police shall-

(i) not later than 14 days after the receipt of such a claim, notify the Chairman of the applicable Committee of the receipt of the claim; and

(ii) not later than 90 days after the receipt of such a claim, submit a proposal for the resolution of such claim which shall be subject to the approval of the Chairman of the applicable Committee.

(B) Extension

The 90-day period in subparagraph (A)(ii) may be extended for an additional period (not to exceed 90 days) for good cause by the Chairman of the applicable Committee, upon the request of the Chief of the Capitol Police.

(C) Approval consistent with Federal Tort Claims Act

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to permit the Chairman of an applicable Committee to approve a proposal for the resolution of a claim described in paragraph (1) which is not consistent with the terms and conditions applicable under chapter 171 of title 28 to the resolution of claims for money damages against the United States.

(D) Applicable Committee defined

In this paragraph, the term "applicable Committee" means-