1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to H.R. 1526, the legislation introduced by Representative Darrell Issa, and any similar bills, such as the one recently introduced by Senator Josh Hawley, that seek to limit the ability of federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions. As a constituent, I am deeply concerned about the implications of this legislation. I understand that the House Judiciary Committee has passed H.R. 1526, and it may soon be brought to a vote on the House floor. These bills would effectively prohibit district courts from issuing injunctive relief orders that apply beyond the parties directly involved in a given case. I believe this legislation is a direct attack on the judiciary's ability to act as a crucial check on the executive branch, particularly in instances of potentially unlawful orders and actions. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), among other organizations, has rightly identified this as a transparent attempt to undermine the constitutional system of checks and balances. The argument that nationwide injunctions are a problematic overreach ignores the well-established legal framework already in place. Courts are required to consider multiple factors before granting injunctive relief, including: - The strength of the case against the defendant. - The potential harms of granting the injunction. - The availability of alternative remedies. - The public interest. Furthermore, courts are able to tailor the relief granted to the specific harms identified. If nationwide unlawful conduct is occurring, then a nationwide injunction may be the only appropriate remedy. If a court errs in granting an injunction, the affected party has the right to appeal. While I acknowledge that courts may sometimes misinterpret the law, the solution is not to fundamentally alter the judiciary's powers. Instead, Congress should focus on drafting specific legislation to clarify or reform the laws in question. I urge you to firmly oppose H.R. 1526 and any similar legislation that seeks to undermine the judicial branch's constitutional duty. Protecting the integrity of our courts and the system of checks and balances is essential for upholding the rule of law. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.