S.59 - One Subject at a Time Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The "One Subject at a Time Act" (S. 59) aims to prevent the inclusion of multiple, unrelated subjects within a single bill. It mandates that each bill or joint resolution passed by Congress must address only one subject, which must be clearly stated in the title. The bill also includes enforcement mechanisms, such as rendering provisions void if they violate the single-subject rule or are outside the jurisdiction of relevant subcommittees.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this act would likely lead to more focused and transparent legislation. It could reduce the practice of attaching unrelated provisions (riders) to bills, particularly appropriations bills. This may also increase accountability, as each piece of legislation would need to stand on its own merit.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in legislation.
- Greater accountability for individual provisions.
- Reduced likelihood of unrelated provisions being attached to bills.
- More focused and deliberate legislative debate.
- Potential for more efficient legislative processes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased legislative gridlock due to the need for more individual bills.
- Possible delays in passing essential legislation.
- Increased workload for Congress.
- Potential for legal challenges regarding the interpretation of "one subject".
- May hinder compromise and deal-making in Congress.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on limiting each bill to a single subject could be seen as aligning with the spirit of Article I, Section 7, which outlines the legislative process. By promoting clarity and focus in legislation, it could be argued that the bill supports the principle of informed consent of the governed, which is implicit in the Constitution's emphasis on representative democracy. However, the Constitution does not explicitly prohibit multi-subject bills.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).