The House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at limiting the power of federal district judges to issue nationwide injunctions that block Trump administration policies. The No Rogue Rulings Act, spearheaded by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., passed with a narrow margin of 219 to 213, with all but one Republican supporting it and no Democrats in favor.
The No Rogue Rulings Act was introduced in response to over 15 nationwide injunctions that have been issued against various Trump administration policies since he took office. These injunctions have targeted a range of issues, including immigration policies and diversity initiatives.
Rep. Issa expressed confidence in the bill’s passage, stating, “We’ve got the votes,” while acknowledging the challenge of garnering Democratic support. He emphasized the need for the legislation to be evaluated on its merits rather than political affiliations.
The bill includes several key provisions:
- Limitation on Injunctions: Federal district judges will be restricted from issuing injunctions that apply nationwide, focusing instead on the parties directly involved in the case.
- Three-Judge Panel: In cases where multiple states from different districts challenge an executive action, the case will be referred to a randomly selected three-judge panel.
- Judicial Accountability: The legislation aims to curb judicial activism, it restores the proper role of district courts.
The bill received overwhelming support from Republican lawmakers, with only Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio voting against it. Many GOP representatives criticized what they termed as “activist judges” who have obstructed the implementation of Trump’s policies.
Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, stated, “Many Democrat-appointed lower court judges have conducted themselves like activist liberal lawyers in robes while attempting to stop President Trump’s nationwide reforms.”
Conversely, Democrats have raised concerns about the implications of the bill for judicial independence and the potential for increased political influence over the judiciary.
Despite its success in the House, the No Rogue Rulings Act faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it requires at least seven Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster. Given the lack of Democratic support in the House, the bill’s future remains uncertain.
Senate Republicans will need to engage in negotiations to secure the necessary votes, as the legislation is seen as a critical component of the GOP’s strategy to advance Trump’s agenda without judicial interference.
