PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 1, 2021
Separation of Powers Restoration Act
This bill restricts the scope of presidential orders. A presidential order means any executive order, presidential proclamation, or presidential directive, as well as any other presidential or executive action issued under the authority of the President or other federal officer or employee that purports to effect standards and norms outside of the executive branch.
Specifically, the bill limits the application of a presidential order to the executive branch unless the order is issued pursuant to certain presidential powers under the Constitution or statutory authority. The bill further specifies that the President may not issue an order under a ratified or unratified treaty (or bilateral or multilateral agreement) if the treaty (1) violates constitutional protections for rights retained by the people or powers reserved to the states, or (2) delegates power to a foreign government or international body absent constitutional authority. When issuing a presidential order, the President must cite to the applicable constitutional or statutory authority.
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A presidential order without this citation is invalid. Members of Congress, nonfederal government officials, and aggrieved persons may challenge an order's validity on the basis that it exceeds the President's constitutional or statutory authority.
The bill also repeals the War Powers Resolution (a joint resolution that outlines procedures for Congress and the President to participate in decisions to send Armed Forces into hostilities) and terminates emergency authorities available to the President and other federal officers and employees for responding to a declared national emergency.
People & committees
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-4] · R–AZ
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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