1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to oppose and vote NO on the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA), H.R. 1526 that passed the House and will be slated for the Senate calendar. It poses a grave threat to our system of checks and balances and the rule of law and must be opposed. This legislation would undermine the ability of federal district courts to issue nationwide injunctions against unlawful government actions that harm people across the country. When the government oversteps its authority, it is crucial that courts can swiftly halt those illegal actions nationwide while litigation proceeds. NORRA is transparently motivated by partisan politics and an alarming attempt to shield this administration from judicial scrutiny. Only criminals and their allies in Congress attempt to hide from judicial oversight. It’s clear to all that President Trump is engaging in an authoritarian assault on our democratic institutions. Many of his supporters outrageously claim he can simply ignore court orders he disagrees with. This bill is also part of a broader campaign to attack the independence of the judiciary and prevent courts from checking unconstitutional and abusive executive power. Our founders established a federal judiciary precisely to protect our freedoms through checks on the other branches. Allowing NORRA to pass would grievously undermine this vital role and function of the courts. Protecting the judiciary's ability to hold the government accountable is essential to preserving liberty and the rule of law. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to reject this dangerous legislation, and vote NO. Thank your for your attention to this critical matter.