S1206119th Congress

Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Chuck Grassley

Introduced

Summary

Limits federal courts from ordering relief for non-parties and narrows administrative review. It bars courts from issuing orders that restrain enforcement against or compel action for someone who is not a party unless that person is represented by a party acting in a representative role under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Show full summary
  • Non-parties and third parties: Courts may not grant relief that benefits or binds a non-party unless a party represents them in a representative capacity.
  • Federal and state officials and agencies: Judges can issue temporary restraining orders to restrain enforcement of or compel action with respect to statutes, regulations, orders, executive actions, or similar authority by the United States or any state, its agencies, or officers acting in an official capacity.
  • Challenges to agency action: Judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act is limited to a "person" before the court, and the bill removes language that allowed courts to "set aside" agency actions.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits court orders for non-parties

If enacted, this bill would stop federal courts from issuing orders that help people or groups not named in a case. It would add a rule saying relief can go only to persons or parties "before the court." It would create a new law that bars courts from restraining enforcement against, or forcing action for, non-parties unless a party formally represents them under court rules. The rule would apply in U.S. courts and in district courts in Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and would take effect upon enactment.

New appeals for temporary restraining orders

If enacted, this bill would allow appeals of certain temporary restraining orders before final judgment. It would let courts of appeals review TROs that try to stop or force action about a law, rule, or official action by the U.S. or a State, its agency, or officers. The change would apply to TROs issued under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or any other authority. It would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Chuck Grassley

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • James Justice

    WV • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • John Kennedy

    LA • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • John Barrasso

    WY • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Marsha Blackburn

    TN • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Katie Britt

    AL • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Ted Budd

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • John Cornyn

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Kevin Cramer

    ND • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Ted Cruz

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Steve Daines

    MT • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Lindsey Graham

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Bill Hagerty

    TN • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Cynthia Lummis

    WY • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Roger Marshall

    KS • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Ashley Moody

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Bernie Moreno

    OH • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Eric Schmitt

    MO • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Thomas Tillis

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Tommy Tuberville

    AL • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Bill Cassidy

    LA • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Mike Lee

    UT • R

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

  • Joni Ernst

    IA • R

    Sponsored 4/2/2025

  • Jim Banks

    IN • R

    Sponsored 4/2/2025

  • Jon Husted

    OH • R

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Tim Sheehy

    MT • R

    Sponsored 4/4/2025

  • James Lankford

    OK • R

    Sponsored 4/4/2025

  • Cindy Hyde-Smith

    MS • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Deb Fischer

    NE • R

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Dan Sullivan

    AK • R

    Sponsored 5/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov

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