One Subject at a Time Act

Summary

Requires every bill or joint resolution to have only one clear subject, and to state that subject plainly in its title. Limits what can be put into appropriations bills by barring general or non-germane changes to existing law while preserving provisions that limit how appropriated funds may be spent. Gives private parties (including Members of Congress) the right to sue in federal court to challenge laws that violate these rules and allows courts to void offending provisions and review those challenges anew.

• Mandates that each federal bill or joint resolution address only one clearly stated subject in its title.
• Prohibits appropriations bills from containing general legislation or nongermane changes to existing law, while allowing spending restrictions tied to appropriations.
• Declares that provisions outside a bill’s stated subject or outside relevant Appropriations subcommittee jurisdiction can be voided.
• Creates a private federal cause of action for anyone aggrieved or threatened by enforcement of laws that violate the single-subject or title rules.
• Permits Members of Congress to sue over their chamber's noncompliance with the one-subject and title requirements.
• Allows courts to grant injunctions and declaratory relief without any amount-in-controversy requirement.
• Requires courts to review challenges under a de novo standard, increasing judicial scrutiny of legislative form and drafting.
• Encourages more litigation over the procedural form of statutes, which could change how Congress bundles policy and uses appropriations bills.