In a push to rein in what they describe as “unconstitutional judicial overreach,” Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 (JRCA) this week. The bill seeks to prevent individual federal judges from issuing sweeping rulings that apply beyond the parties involved in a case — a practice commonly known as issuing universal injunctions.
The proposed legislation would amend both the Administrative Procedure Act and the Declaratory Judgment Act, limiting the scope of judicial orders to only those directly involved in the legal action. It would also make temporary restraining orders (TROs) immediately appealable, aiming to streamline challenges to such rulings.
READ: Gun Rights Group Slams New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker After Armed Staffer Arrested On Capitol Grounds
“This clear overreach was never envisioned by the Framers of the Constitution,” said Sen. Moody. “We have witnessed a concerning increase in nationwide orders from individual district court judges that have tied President Trump’s hands to stifle his agenda. This important legislation will be a tool to help stop the unreasonable restraints on Executive Authority.”
Sen. Grassley echoed the sentiment, criticizing what he called a trend of courts “dictating national policy.”
“Judges are not policymakers, and allowing them to assume this role is very dangerous,” said Grassley. “The Judicial Relief Clarification Act clarifies the scope of judicial power and resolves illegitimate judicial infringement upon the executive branch.”
According to the lawmakers, universal injunctions violate the Constitution’s limits on judicial power under Article III, Section 2, which allows courts to decide only “cases” or “controversies.” They argue that rulings affecting parties not directly involved in a lawsuit effectively turn judges into de facto legislators.
READ: Pennsylvania Senators Fetterman, McCormick Draw Backlash After Canceling Event
Such injunctions have gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in politically charged cases. Supporters argue that they provide a check against federal overreach. Critics, including Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, and Elena Kagan, have publicly warned against the practice, citing the dangers of rushed, wide-reaching decisions made by a single judge.
In just the first two months of President Donald Trump’s second term, district court judges have issued more universal injunctions against his administration than were issued against President Biden in his entire four-year term, according to the bill’s sponsors.
While the Supreme Court has declined to end the practice, the Constitution gives Congress authority to regulate the jurisdiction of lower federal courts. Supporters of the JRCA say that makes legislative action both appropriate and necessary.
READ: Alan Dershowitz Defends Trump’s Pressure On Columbia, Calls Faculty Backlash A “Double Standard”
The bill’s backers argue the changes would restore constitutional boundaries, reduce judicial activism, and ensure that federal agencies and the executive branch can operate without undue obstruction by the judiciary.
Opposition to universal injunctions isn’t limited to one political ideology. Legal scholars and jurists from across the political spectrum have criticized the growing use of these rulings. Still, the Judicial Relief Clarification Act is expected to face fierce debate in Congress, particularly from those who see universal injunctions as a critical tool for civil rights and regulatory challenges.
Moody, Florida’s former attorney general and a staunch legal conservative, has gained national attention for championing legal reforms aimed at protecting executive authority and limiting federal bureaucracy.
The bill’s introduction marks the latest chapter in an ongoing struggle over the balance of power between the courts and the executive branch — and raises high-stakes questions about how, and by whom, federal policy should be decided.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
