One Subject at a Time Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fulcher
Introduced
Summary
This bill would impose a single-subject rule on federal legislation. It would require every bill or joint resolution to state a single, clear subject in its title and would limit appropriations bills to provisions germane to their funding purpose.
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- Legislators and drafters: Violations can void either the entire act if the title lists two or more unrelated subjects or only the offending provisions if they fall outside the title's description.
- Appropriations process: Appropriations bills could not include general legislation or unrelated changes of law and any provision outside the relevant appropriations subcommittee's jurisdiction would be void. The bill still allows provisions that limit how appropriated funds may be spent.
- Enforcement and courts: Any person aggrieved or any Member of Congress would have a federal cause of action to seek relief, including injunctions. Courts would review those challenges de novo.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
People could sue over multi-topic laws
This bill would let any person sue the United States if a law is enforced that did not follow the one-subject or title rules. A Member of Congress could sue if their chamber failed to follow the rules. A court could block enforcement of the noncompliant law. The case would be reviewed de novo, from scratch. You could bring a case regardless of how much money is at stake. This would take effect upon enactment.
One subject per bill, no riders
This bill would require each bill or joint resolution to cover only one subject. The subject would need to be clearly stated in the title. If a title lists two or more unrelated subjects, the whole Act would be void. If a bill has parts not described in the title, those parts would be void. Spending bills could not include unrelated policy riders or changes to other laws. Limits on how the money is spent would still be allowed. Any part outside the relevant Appropriations subcommittee’s area would be void. These rules would apply upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fulcher
ID • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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