No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act: Federal Funds and Refunds Off-Limits for Prosecuted Individuals

This bill, titled the “No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act,” is pretty straightforward about its goal: it aims to cut off access to federal money for anyone prosecuted for involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. It’s a targeted financial exclusion that uses broad language to make sure federal funds don't go to this specific group.

The Federal Fund Firewall

Section 2 of the bill creates a hard wall between federal money and individuals prosecuted for the January 6th attack. This isn't just about grants; it covers any federal funds used for compensation, including the Judgment Fund (31 U.S.C. 1304) and any victim compensation funds. The Judgment Fund is typically used to pay court judgments and settlements against the U.S. government, so this provision effectively bars this group from receiving compensation even if they successfully sue the federal government for something unrelated. Crucially, the bill explicitly says this prohibition applies even if the individual is later pardoned. This means that even if a future president grants a pardon, the financial sanctions imposed by this bill would remain in place.

No Refunds on Fines and Restitution

Section 3 locks down the financial penalties already levied by the courts. When someone is convicted and ordered to pay restitution, fines, or special assessments, those funds usually go to the U.S. Treasury. In some legal scenarios, particularly if a conviction is overturned or a pardon is granted, the Treasury might refund those payments. This bill slams the door on that possibility for convicted January 6th participants. It states that no funds from the U.S. Treasury can be used to refund these court-ordered payments, even if the person is pardoned later on.

What Happens to the Money?

Instead of being refunded, any money that would have been returned to these individuals gets redirected. Section 3 mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury must transfer any such amounts to the Architect of the Capitol. This is a clear, punitive measure: the financial weight of the court penalties remains fully on the convicted individual, and the money is sent directly to the entity responsible for maintaining the building that was attacked.

Real-World Impact: The Financial Exclusion

For the people targeted by this bill—those prosecuted and potentially convicted for their involvement on January 6th—the impact is permanent financial exclusion from certain federal mechanisms. It goes beyond the criminal sentence itself. If someone in this group were to win a civil suit against the government years down the road, the Judgment Fund could not be used to pay them. More immediately, if a convicted person paid a $10,000 fine and later received a pardon hoping for a refund to help them restart their life, this bill ensures that refund is impossible. This legislation is a specific legal mechanism designed to ensure that the financial consequences of the attack remain fixed, overriding the usual mechanisms for federal compensation or the potential relief afforded by a presidential pardon.