Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has called for revisions to a provision in the House-passed ‘megabill’ that would limit federal courts’ ability to enforce contempt orders using federal funds. The provision requires the party bringing the case to post a security bond before federal funds can be used for enforcement, a move that has sparked criticism from Democrats and legal scholars.
The provision, which is part of the so-called ‘megabill’ — a nickname for the massive legislative package passed by the House — has raised concerns about its potential impact on the federal court system. Democrats plan to challenge the measure under the Byrd rule, a procedural rule that limits the inclusion of provisions in reconciliation legislation to those directly related to the budget. They argue that the provision would hamper the federal judiciary at a time when the Trump administration is allegedly acting with disregard for the law.
Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, stated that if the provision meets the Byrd rule test, changes are necessary. However, he has not provided further details on what those changes might entail. The provision’s potential impact on judicial enforcement remains a point of contention among lawmakers and legal experts.