PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jul 12, 2016
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 14, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016
This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies.
No law may exempt such a civil action from the application of the amendments made by this bill except by specific reference to these provisions.
People & committees
Rep. Ratcliffe, John [R-TX-4] · R–TX
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 240 - 171 (Roll no. 416).
House roll call 416 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 240 - 171 (Roll no. 416).
House roll call 416 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 169 - 236 (Roll no. 415).
House roll call 415 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a section titled "Excepted Rules Regarding the Prevention of Firearms Transfers to Criminals and Suspected Terrorists".
Mr. Keating moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (consideration: CR H4693-4695; text: CR H4693)
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4768.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4690-4695)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 4768 as unfinished business.
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Cartwright moved that the committee rise.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 796, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 5.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST - Mr. Johnson (GA) asked unanimous consent that the request for a recorded vote on amendment No. 2 be withdrawn to the end that the amendment stand disposed of by the voice vote. Agreed to without objection.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 796, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 4.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Meeks amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Meeks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 796, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meeks amendment No. 3.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 796, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 2.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 796, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 1.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4651-4657; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4652)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 4768 as unfinished business.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4768.
The Speaker designated the Honorable E. Scott Rigell to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 796 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4768 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 796. (consideration: CR H4615-4622)
Rule H. Res. 796 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 796 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4768 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-622.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 114-622.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 12 - 8.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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