Bill · S.Res. 136· Senate(119-SRES-136)
A resolution affirming the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review.
- Introduced
- 3/25/2025
- Last activity
- 3/25/2025 — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S1837-1838)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 16 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review. It states that Article III of the Constitution grants judicial power to one Supreme Court and inferior courts established by Congress. The resolution cites the precedent from Marbury v. Madison that it is the duty of the judicial department to define what the law is. It further asserts that the executive branch must comply with all Federal court rulings. Finally, it notes that the executive branch may appeal a ruling if authorized by law.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The resolution emphasizes judicial review and the obligation of the executive branch to comply with federal court rulings.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+3
Reinforcing the judicial branch's authority protects the rule of law and individual due process rights against executive overreach.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
Affirming judicial oversight helps ensure executive accountability through established legal channels.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Affirmation of Judicial Authority: By affirming that the judicial department has the duty to say what the law is, the resolution reinforces the role of the courts established in Mario v. Madison (Section 2).
- Executive Accountability: The resolution states that the executive branch is required to comply with all Federal court rulings, which establishes a standard for the executive branch to follow the law (Section 3).
- Legal Recourse for the Executive: The resolution notes that if the executive branch disagrees with a court ruling, it has the option to appeal that ruling when authorized by law (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the provided text.
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+3Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- 3/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S1837-1838)
- 14 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island