1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The current administration and Republican-led House have put forth the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that includes an alarming provision undermining judicial authority. Buried on page 562, it states that no federal court may enforce contempt citations for defying injunctions or restraining orders if no security bond was required when those orders were issued. This would neuter the courts' contempt power, a vital tool for upholding the rule of law and constitutional checks and balances. Retroactively applying to all existing injunctions against this administration, where no security was demanded, this provision renders court orders effectively unenforceable. It insulates the executive from accountability to the judicial branch, the very purpose of which is to serve as a check on government overreach. Stripping courts of contempt authority gravely threatens our system of separated powers and enables the president to disregard court rulings with impunity. As legal scholars warn, this represents a severe encroachment on judicial independence and a disturbing step towards consolidated executive power, against the founders' intent. The Senate cannot allow such an unvarnished power grab eroding a co-equal branch of government. Defending constitutional norms and the rule of law requires rejecting this unacceptable contempt provision and the continued enabling of a president who has already exhibited authoritarian tendencies. Upholding sworn oaths necessitates standing firm against any measures that undermine judicial review of executive actions. The integrity of the American system of checks and balances is at stake.