Bill · S. 60· Senate(119-S-60)
Write the Laws Act
- Introduced
- 1/9/2025
- Last activity
- 1/9/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Rand Paul
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Write the Laws Act" aims to end the unconstitutional delegation of legislative power from Congress to other entities. It seeks to restore the separation of powers by preventing the transfer of law-making authority to the Executive branch, the judicial branch, or various agencies. The bill prohibits Acts of Congress from delegating the creation of criminal or civil offenses or non-criminal regulations that are not fully defined in an Act of Congress. It also directs the Comptroller General to report on existing statutes that contain these prohibited delegations. Additionally, the act establishes enforcement mechanisms to nullify actions that do not comply with these new standards.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+7
The bill explicitly targets the protection of due process under the Fifth Amendment by limiting unconstitutional agency rule-making.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill enhances accountability by requiring more explicit legislative definitions for regulations and providing a cause of action against non-compliant agency actions.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+5
The bill seeks to restore constitutional separation of powers by limiting the scope of administrative agency authority.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this give the federal government more power?-5
The bill seeks to shift power away from the executive agencies back to the legislative branch.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
Restricting the ability of agencies to issue regulations may weaken environmental protection standards.
Would union members be better off under this?-3
Reduced agency regulatory power could weaken protections managed by executive departments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Restoration of Constitutional Principles: The bill intends to restore the separation of powers and the constitutional principle of checks and balances by ensuring Congress retains its legislative responsibilities (Section 3, Finding 13; Section 4).
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Due Process Protections: By bringing the enforcement of Federal law into compliance with the Fifth Amendment, the bill aims to ensure no person is deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law (Section 2(b); Section 3, Finding 9).
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Increased Accountability for Regulations: The bill provides a way for aggrieved individuals to bring a cause of action against the United States to seek relief, including injunctions, against actions taken under statutes that do not comply with the non-delegation rule (Section 4, Sec. 152(b)).
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Clearer Legal Standards: The Act defines "delegation of legislative powers" to include the creation or clarification of criminal or civil offenses and certain non-criminal regulations, aiming to ensure laws are fully and completely defined by Congress (Section 4, Sec. 151(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Legal Burdens/Uncertainty: The bill states that any Act of Congress, Presidential directive, or regulation that does not comply with the new non-delegation rules shall have no force or effect, which could impact existing legal frameworks (Section 4, Sec. 152(a)).
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Potential Loss of Regulatory Functionality: The Act limits the ability of the Executive branch to create any new regulations or changes to existing ones unless they are authorized by an Act of Congress that meets the new specific criteria (Section 4, Sec. 151(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+7Improves Government Transparency+6Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power-5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Farmers+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Union Workers-3Good For Low Income Households-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5Improves Consumer Protection-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+3
- 1/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate