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Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1605| House 
| Updated: 5/21/2025
Scott Fitzgerald

Scott Fitzgerald

Republican Representative

Wisconsin

Cosponsors (3)
Robert F. Onder (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Ben Cline (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025 (SOPRA) seeks to fundamentally change how federal courts review legal interpretations by government agencies. It amends Section 706 of title 5, United States Code, to mandate that reviewing courts must decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including interpretations of constitutional, statutory, and agency rules. This means judges would independently interpret the law without deferring to an agency's view, ensuring a more robust judicial oversight. The bill specifies that this de novo standard applies to all judicial reviews of agency actions and cannot be circumvented by other laws without explicit reference to this section, thereby establishing a uniform and stringent review process.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7895
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1927
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3494
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4317
Separation of Powers Restoration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-288
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-464
Separation of Powers Restoration Act
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 21, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
May 21, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 21, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7895
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1927
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3494
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4317
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-288
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-464
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 21, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 21, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • S 119-33: SOPRA
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresConstitution and constitutional amendmentsJudicial review and appeals

Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1605| House 
| Updated: 5/21/2025
The Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025 (SOPRA) seeks to fundamentally change how federal courts review legal interpretations by government agencies. It amends Section 706 of title 5, United States Code, to mandate that reviewing courts must decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including interpretations of constitutional, statutory, and agency rules. This means judges would independently interpret the law without deferring to an agency's view, ensuring a more robust judicial oversight. The bill specifies that this de novo standard applies to all judicial reviews of agency actions and cannot be circumvented by other laws without explicit reference to this section, thereby establishing a uniform and stringent review process.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7895
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1927
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3494
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4317
Separation of Powers Restoration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-288
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-464
Separation of Powers Restoration Act
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 26, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 21, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
May 21, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 21, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7895
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1927
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3494
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4317
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-288
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-464
    Separation of Powers Restoration Act


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 26, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 21, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 21, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
Scott Fitzgerald

Scott Fitzgerald

Republican Representative

Wisconsin

Cosponsors (3)
Robert F. Onder (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Ben Cline (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • S 119-33: SOPRA
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresConstitution and constitutional amendmentsJudicial review and appeals