Congress passes the Judgment Fund statute, giving Treasury permanent authority to pay court-ordered settlements

Congress enacted 31 U.S.C. § 1304, creating a permanent, indefinite appropriation in the Treasury to pay final court judgments, arbitration awards, and compromise settlements against the federal government. The fund operates without annual congressional approval: once a court orders payment, Treasury disburses automatically. President Eisenhower signed the broader appropriations package containing the provision into law on July 28, 1956.