Deadline Detroit: Michigan GOP Congress Members Voted For ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ That Includes Provision to Limit Judges’ Contempt Powers

All seven Republican members of Congress from Michigan voted last week in favor of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes a provision that would limit the power of federal judges to hold people in contempt.

The New York Times reports that the provision, slipped into the controversial domestic policy bill, could potentially shield President Trump and members of his administration from the consequences of violating court orders. The bill, which includes proposed tax cuts, spending adjustments, and policy changes, passed the House by the narrowest of margins, 215–214. It must still pass the Senate.

The bill would require judges in civil matters to set bonds to cover potential costs if an injunction is later found to be incorrect, The Times reports. The provision in the House bill would block federal judges from enforcing their contempt citations if no bond had previously been imposed.

It would apply retroactively to court orders issued before the bill’s passage. That would include cases in which judges are considering holding people in the Trump administration in contempt. Democrats argue the provision would eliminate consequences if the Trump administration ignored court orders.

Currently, judges have discretion to set a bond, and in many cases, they do not. One argument against requiring bonds is that the cost might be prohibitive and prevent people from challenging the government.

No Response

Deadline Detroit reached out Tuesday and Wednesday to all seven Republican members of Congress via emails to their communications directors in Washington, asking whether they were aware of the provision and whether they supported it. None responded. All six Democratic members of Congress from Michigan voted against the bill.

The Republican members who voted in favor include Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar, John James, Bill Huizenga, Tim Walberg, Tom Barrett, and Lisa McClain.

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was one of 21 Congress members who signed a a letter dated May 20 to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson objecting to the provision weakening the judges’ contempt powers.

“This is not merely a procedural concern, and this language has nothing to do with the federal budget,” the letter said. “It strikes at the very core of judicial authority that is granted in our Constitution.”

In a statement to Deadline Detroit on Wednesday, Tlaib remarked:

“No one should be surprised that Republicans stuck a dangerous provision in the budget bill to protect and empower this fascist Trump Administration.”

“They are already arresting judges and defying judicial rulings. They are currently refusing to return a wrongfully deported man despite a unanimous Supreme Court decision. This provision is another blatant attempt by Republicans to dismantle the separation of powers, undermine the courts, and avoid judicial oversight of this Administration.”

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