1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I urge you in the strongest possible terms to vote NO on H.R. 1. Buried in this bill is a provision that would eviscerate the judiciary’s ability to enforce its own orders against government officials—a radical attack on the rule of law, judicial independence, and the balance of powers enshrined in our Constitution. The provision in question would prohibit federal courts from using appropriated funds to enforce contempt citations for violations of injunctions or restraining orders unless a plaintiff has posted a security bond under Rule 65(c). This may sound technical, but the impact is devastating and crystal clear: government officials—including the president—could ignore court orders without consequence unless citizens or civil rights groups come up with funds they almost never have. Worse, this measure would apply retroactively—nullifying enforcement of countless existing court orders. Civil rights injunctions, immigration-related orders, and protections secured through decades of legal battles would become unenforceable overnight. This is not legislation—it’s sabotage of our judiciary’s authority. Let’s be honest about who benefits: Donald Trump and his executive cronies, many of whom have already shown brazen contempt for court rulings. This bill would grant them virtual immunity from judicial restraint by simply daring the public to find the cash to hold them accountable. That’s not democracy—it’s despotism dressed up as budget policy. Our courts cannot become advisory bodies. We cannot allow one branch of government to neuter another. This provision is a flagrant violation of the separation of powers and a direct step toward authoritarianism. This is a red line. Defend the Constitution. Vote NO on H.R. 1.