House approves Trump-driven bill to rein in activist judges

The House of Representatives, with Republican-only votes, passed a bill limiting the ability of federal district judges to stop Trump Administration policies nationwide.

The bill, called the 'No Rogue Rulings Act,' was introduced led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and seeks to stop injunctions coming out of district courts from affecting President Donald Trump's policies.

Under the law, judges must limit themselves to rulings that affect only the parties involved in most cases.

The vote was categorically partisan: almost all but one Republican lawmaker voted in favor of the bill, which was not supported by any Democrat. The vote ended 219-213.

The bill's passage comes after the Trump administration saw several district judges impose more than 15 nationwide injunctions since the former president took office.

The measures were applied against policies that sought to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, birthright citizenship reforms, among others.

Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX), who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, highlighted the bill's passage by sharply criticizing district judges who are applying injunctive relief against Trump Administration policies.

"Many Democrat-appointed lower court judges have conducted themselves like activist liberal lawyers in robes while attempting to stop President Trump's nationwide reforms. The No Rogue Rulings Act limits this unchecked power," Gooden said.

Rep. Derek Schmidt (R-KS), who pushed an amendment aimed at restricting the practice of "judge" shopping"—the strategic choice of favorable courts by plaintiffs - called the bill a "common sense" measure and recalled that similar proposals even had the backing of Democrats during the Biden administration.

Although it was approved in the House of Representatives, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it must have the backing of several Democrats to reach the necessary 60 votes.