# One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

This bill would require Congress to follow a simple rule: each law can only deal with one topic. Right now, Congress frequently passes massive bills that bundle together dozens of unrelated issues—for example, a bill about highway funding might also include changes to healthcare policy, tax breaks for specific industries, and funding for military projects all in one package. This bill would make that illegal.

The law would require that whatever subject a bill addresses must be clearly stated in its title, so anyone reading the title knows what the bill is actually about. If a bill's title mentions multiple unrelated subjects, or if the bill contains provisions that aren't mentioned in the title, those parts would be struck down and become unenforceable. This applies especially to spending bills, which currently often sneak in unrelated policy changes. Under this bill, spending bills could only include money for things directly related to what the bill is supposed to be about.

The bill gives people—including members of Congress themselves—the right to sue in federal court if they believe a law violates these rules. A judge would review the case from scratch without giving any deference to Congress's decision, meaning the court could easily overturn parts of laws or entire laws if they don't follow the one-subject rule. This is a significant shift in power, as it would allow courts to invalidate laws that Congress passed, based on whether they followed this new structural requirement.

Supporters argue this would make government more transparent and prevent politicians from hiding unpopular policies inside larger bills. Critics worry it could create chaos by allowing courts to strike down major laws over technical violations, and that it might actually make it harder to pass compromises that bundle together different groups' priorities.

One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act

Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

One Bill, One Subject Transparency Act This bill requires each bill or joint resolution to include no more than one subject and the subject to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title. An appropriations bill may not contain any general legislation or change to existing law that is not germane to the subject of the underlying bill. The bill voids measures or provisions that do not comply with these requirements, including appropriation provisions outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction.