Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025

Increased Transparency in Judicial Decisions: Under Section 2(b)(1), the Supreme Court would be required to publish a written explanation of reasons and indicate how each participating justice voted regarding orders granting, denying, or vacating preliminary injunctive relief or stays. This provides clarity on the reasoning and individual votes of the justices.

Standardized Criteria for Relief: Section 2(b)(2) and Section 2(b)(3) require the written explanation to include an evaluation of specific criteria, such as whether an applicant is likely to succeed on the merits, the likelihood of irreparable harm, the balance of equities, and the public interest. This ensures that the Court's decisions on injunctions and stays are supported by an evaluation of these specific factors.

Accountability through Oversight: Section 3 requires the Director of the Federal Judicial Center to submit reports to Congress assessing the extent of compliance or noncompliance with these new requirements. This creates a mechanism to track whether the Supreme Court is following the new rules.