# Plain Language Summary of the WILLIS Act

This bill would cut off all federal funding to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office in Georgia and require them to pay back federal money they've already received. The bill is named the "Withholding Investments from Lawless Litigators In States Act," which signals the sponsors' view that the office has acted improperly. Specifically, the bill would prevent any new federal dollars from going to this office and would force them to return all federal funds they've spent since January 1, 2021.

The practical effect would be significant for Fulton County's criminal justice system. The District Attorney's Office would lose access to federal grants and resources that many prosecutors' offices rely on for things like training programs, technology, victim services, and other law enforcement support. Additionally, they would face a substantial financial burden trying to repay years of federal funding, which could strain their budget and operations. This is a highly unusual action—Congress rarely cuts off funding to specific local prosecutors' offices—and it reflects a political dispute rather than a standard budgeting decision.

For everyday people in Fulton County, this could mean slower case processing, reduced victim support services, and potentially less effective prosecution of crimes if the office loses resources and has to divert money to repaying the federal government. The bill targets one specific office rather than addressing any broader policy concern, making it a targeted punishment of a particular prosecutor rather than a change to how the criminal justice system works generally.

WILLIS Act

Biggs, Andy

Withholding Investments from Lawless Litigators In States Act or the WILLIS ActThis bill prohibits federal funds from being awarded or otherwise made available to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Georgia.&nbsp;The bill also (1) rescinds any unobligated funds that were allocated for or otherwise made available to the office, and (2) directs the Department of Justice to require the office to reimburse the federal government for all funds that were expended for the office after January 1, 2021.