COINOTAG reported on May 30th that a controversial provision within U.S. President Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation is raising alarms among legal experts. The extensive 1,100-page bill, dubbed the “Beautiful Law,” includes a problematic clause that could significantly diminish the judiciary’s authority to mandate compliance with court orders related to federal actions. Specifically, it requires plaintiffs to post a monetary bond—an uncommon stipulation in government cases—thus complicating enforcement of contempt-of-court sanctions.
This legislative move is critical, as federal courts have played a pivotal role in checking the powers of the Trump administration, with numerous successful legal challenges. Most of these cases have not mandated any bond, raising concerns that the bill could severely limit judges’ capabilities to uphold the law. While contempt-of-court sanctions have yet to be issued, several courts have reported instances where Trump administration officials appear to disregard court orders, potentially inviting judicial scrutiny.
The House narrowly passed the “Beautiful Law” on May 22nd with a single-vote margin, lacking any Democratic support. With the bill now under consideration in the Senate, where Republicans maintain a slim 53-47 majority, discussions on amendments are anticipated. In a proactive response, 21 House Democrats formally requested the removal of this contentious provision, underscoring its potential to undermine the judicial process and inhibit effective enforcement of judicial rulings.