One Subject at a Time Act

The One Subject at a Time Act would restructure how Congress drafts and enacts laws by requiring every bill or joint resolution to address only a single subject. It would mandate that the bill’s title clearly and descriptively express that subject. The bill also tightens rules for appropriations legislation, prohibiting general legislation or changes to existing law not germane to the appropriation’s subject matter, while allowing valid provisions that impose limitations on how funds are spent. If a bill’s title covers multiple unrelated subjects, or if the bill contains provisions outside its stated subject (and not germane to the title), the bill or those provisions could be void. The act also creates a private right of action for certain individuals to challenge compliance in federal court, with a de novo standard of review (a fresh evaluation) in those cases. In short, the bill would significantly limit omnibus or multi-topic legislation, empower courts to strike down non-compliant laws, and potentially change the way appropriations bills are drafted and evaluated.