House to vote on Trump-backed bill to rein in federal courts
The House of Representatives is set to vote on a significant bill on Tuesday that aims to limit the power of federal district court judges to block President Donald Trump’s policies on a national scale. The No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA), introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., has gained traction among House GOP leaders following Trump’s endorsement of the bill.
The bill seeks to address what House Republicans see as “rogue” judges impeding Trump’s agenda. Since taking office, the Trump administration has encountered over 15 nationwide injunctions, affecting various policies such as birthright citizenship reform and anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Issa’s proposed legislation would restrict district judges, numbering over 670, from issuing rulings that have a nationwide impact. Instead, judges would be required to tailor their rulings to the specific parties involved in the lawsuit. The bill enjoys broad support from House Republicans and the party’s leadership, although Issa expressed doubts about garnering Democratic support.
Issa highlighted that concerns about district judges overstepping their bounds are not confined to Republicans. He referenced former Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar’s remarks on the pressures exerted by universal injunctions on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket and the enforcement of laws.
The legislation advanced through the House Rules Committee, facing opposition from Democrats. A procedural vote is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with lawmakers expected to debate and vote on the final bill later in the day. The bill must also pass the Senate, where bipartisan support will be necessary to meet the 60-vote threshold, before reaching Trump’s desk for approval.
This legislative initiative is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by nationwide injunctions and ensuring a more balanced approach to the judicial review of executive actions. Stay tuned for updates on the outcome of the House vote and the bill’s progress through the Senate.
