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One Subject at a Time Act

USA119th CongressS-59| Senate 
| Updated: 1/9/2025
Rand Paul

Rand Paul

Republican Senator

Kentucky

Rules and Administration Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "One Subject at a Time Act," aims to restrict congressional bills and joint resolutions to a single, clearly defined subject. It requires that the subject of any bill or joint resolution be clearly and descriptively expressed in its title . Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits appropriation bills from containing general legislation or modifications to existing law that are not directly relevant to the appropriation's subject matter, though it allows for provisions limiting the expenditure of appropriated funds. The bill establishes a robust enforcement mechanism, declaring an entire act void if its title addresses two or more unrelated subjects. If an act's title covers a single subject but the act contains provisions on an unexpressed subject, only those specific provisions are voided. Similarly, provisions in appropriation bills that fall outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction or are not germane to the bill's subject matter are also void. Critically, any person or Member of Congress aggrieved by non-compliance can initiate a judicial action to seek relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of non-conforming laws , with a de novo standard of review.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3845
One Subject at a Time Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-110
One Subject at a Time Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-287
One Subject at a Time Act
Jan 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Jul 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4324
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3845
    One Subject at a Time Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-110
    One Subject at a Time Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-287
    One Subject at a Time Act


  • January 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • July 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4324
    Introduced in House

Congress

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4324: One Subject at a Time Act
AppropriationsCivil actions and liabilityGovernment liabilityLegislative rules and procedure

One Subject at a Time Act

USA119th CongressS-59| Senate 
| Updated: 1/9/2025
This legislation, known as the "One Subject at a Time Act," aims to restrict congressional bills and joint resolutions to a single, clearly defined subject. It requires that the subject of any bill or joint resolution be clearly and descriptively expressed in its title . Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits appropriation bills from containing general legislation or modifications to existing law that are not directly relevant to the appropriation's subject matter, though it allows for provisions limiting the expenditure of appropriated funds. The bill establishes a robust enforcement mechanism, declaring an entire act void if its title addresses two or more unrelated subjects. If an act's title covers a single subject but the act contains provisions on an unexpressed subject, only those specific provisions are voided. Similarly, provisions in appropriation bills that fall outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction or are not germane to the bill's subject matter are also void. Critically, any person or Member of Congress aggrieved by non-compliance can initiate a judicial action to seek relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of non-conforming laws , with a de novo standard of review.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3845
One Subject at a Time Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-110
One Subject at a Time Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-287
One Subject at a Time Act
Jan 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Jul 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4324
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3845
    One Subject at a Time Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-110
    One Subject at a Time Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-287
    One Subject at a Time Act


  • January 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • July 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4324
    Introduced in House
Rand Paul

Rand Paul

Republican Senator

Kentucky

Rules and Administration Committee

Congress

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4324: One Subject at a Time Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AppropriationsCivil actions and liabilityGovernment liabilityLegislative rules and procedure