Representative Ayanna Pressley introduces H.R. 10397: Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026

We have received text from H.R. 10397: Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026. This bill was received on 2026-09-15, and currently has 45 cosponsors.

Here is a short summary of the bill:

This bill would create a new federal compensation program for certain survivors of sexual violence and exploitation. The program would be run by the Attorney General, with claims filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Who could apply

A person could seek compensation if they can show, with supporting information, that they:

• were a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or sexual exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell; or
• were a victim of a federal offense involving sexual assault, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or sexual exploitation, and the federal government failed to provide rights owed to the victim under the federal Crime Victims’ Rights Act.

If the person has died, a personal representative could file on their behalf. The bill would allow only one petition per person.

How claims would be handled

The bill would create a new office within the Court of Federal Claims called the Office of Special Adjudicators for Survivors Restitution . These special adjudicators would review claims and decide whether compensation should be paid and how much.

The process is designed to be less formal than a typical court case. It would generally allow:

• electronic filing;
• more flexible evidence rules;
• limited discovery;
• optional hearings rather than routine live testimony; and
• the ability for the parties to submit written evidence and arguments.

Claims would be decided as quickly as practicable, generally within 120 days, though limited delays could be allowed. The Attorney General would be the respondent in every case, and notice of each petition would be published in the Federal Register without identifying the petitioner.

Compensation and payment

To receive compensation, a petitioner would need to prove the claim by a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning more likely than not. The special adjudicator or court would consider both economic losses and non-economic harms. Compensation could not include punitive damages.

The bill sets a minimum award of $123,000. It also requires an award for reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs. If a claim is denied, fees and costs may still be awarded if the claim was brought in good faith and had a reasonable basis.

Once an award is granted, the Attorney General would have to pay it within 20 days from a new Treasury fund created by the bill.

Payments under the bill would not count as taxable income and would not count when determining eligibility for means-tested benefits.

Funding

The bill would create a separate Treasury account called the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Fund . The fund would receive:

• money forfeited to the federal government under certain criminal statutes; and
• voluntary contributions from individuals or entities.

The fund money would be available without needing further appropriations or annual renewal, and Congress could also appropriate additional money as needed.

Administration and review

The bill would require the chief special adjudicator to manage the office, hire staff, and report annually to Congress on the number of claims, outcomes, award amounts, timing, administrative costs, and suggested changes.

Decisions by a special adjudicator could be reviewed by the Court of Federal Claims, and later appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in limited circumstances.

Relevant Companies

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Representative Ayanna Pressley Bill Proposals

Here are some bills which have recently been proposed by Representative Ayanna Pressley:

• H.R.10397: Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026
• H.R.9873: Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026
• H.R.9817: Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act
• H.R.9816: MOMMIES Act
• H.R.9364: FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act
• H.R.8940: Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act

You can track bills proposed by Representative Ayanna Pressley on Investivoq's politician page for Pressley.

Representative Ayanna Pressley Net Worth

Investivoq estimates that Representative Ayanna Pressley is worth $4.9M, as of September 23rd, 2026. This is the 174th highest net worth in Congress, per our live estimates.

Pressley has approximately $0 invested in publicly traded assets which Investivoq is able to track live.

You can track Representative Ayanna Pressley's net worth on Investivoq's politician page for Pressley.

2026 Massachusetts's 7th Congressional District Election

There has been approximately $1,482,648 of spending in Massachusetts's 7th congressional district elections over the last two years, per our estimates.

Approximately $25,499 of this has been from outside spending by PACs and Super PACs. Some of the groups who are spending money in this race include:

• WE DECIDE ($23,504)
• CHINESE PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL ACTION INC. ($1,610)

The rating for this race is currently "Solid D".

You can track this election on our matchup page for the 2026 Massachusetts's 7th congressional district election.

This article is not financial advice. See Investivoq's disclaimers for more information.