Ban on Inkless Directives and Executive Notarizations Act of 2025

Summary

Makes the President the only person who may lawfully sign engrossed bills, executive orders, pardons, and commutations and forbids use of automatic signing devices (including autopens) or having anyone else sign those documents. It also declares any such document signed in violation of this rule—whether signed before or after the law takes effect—to have no force or effect.

• Only the President may personally sign engrossed bills, executive orders, pardons, and commutations.
• Use of automatic signing devices (including autopens) for those documents is expressly banned.
• Any such document signed in violation of the rule is declared invalid and without force or effect, even if signed before the law takes effect.
• Does not provide funding, procedures, or enforcement mechanisms beyond invalidation.
• Could void previously issued presidential actions (orders, pardons, commutations) if they were not personally signed.
• May prompt litigation and administrative disruption as courts and agencies determine which instruments are valid.
• Focuses narrowly on signature authority rather than broader changes to executive power or procedure.
• Does not create or authorize new programs or appropriate funds.