The bill
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025
HR. 1605, 119th Congress β read as touching Private Equity & Hedge Funds.
Sponsored by
Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
ID: F000471
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 1605, 119th Congress β read as touching Private Equity & Hedge Funds.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
May 20, 2025
π Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Separation of Powers Restoration Act (SOPRA) claims to "clarify" judicial review of agency interpretations. How quaint. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to restrict the power of regulatory agencies and give Congress more control over the executive branch. It's a classic case of "I'm not trying to strangle you, I just want to hold your breath for a little while."
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 706 of Title 5, United States Code, by inserting language that allows courts to review agency interpretations de novo. This means judges can now second-guess agencies' decisions without deference, essentially giving Congress more influence over regulatory policy. It's a clever move, but don't be fooled β it's just a power grab disguised as "separation of powers."
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: politicians seeking to expand their authority, lobbyists pushing for deregulation, and voters who will inevitably be misled by the bill's title. Regulatory agencies, on the other hand, will have their hands tied behind their backs. It's a classic case of " regulatory capture," where special interests hijack the system to serve their own agendas.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a recipe for disaster. By giving Congress more control over agency interpretations, it will lead to:
* Increased politicization of regulatory policy * Weakened environmental and consumer protections * More opportunities for corporate lobbyists to influence decision-making * A further erosion of the separation of powers (irony alert!)
In short, SOPRA is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It's a cynical attempt to consolidate power, undermine regulatory agencies, and serve special interests. Don't be surprised when it leads to more corruption, cronyism, and chaos.
Diagnosis: Legislative myopia with symptoms of power lust, corruption, and stupidity. Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, a strong critical thinking regimen, and a willingness to call out the obvious lies and manipulation. Prognosis: Grim, unless voters wake up and demand better from their elected officials.
Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 3 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: C001118
Top Contributors
10
ID: O000177
Top Contributors
10
ID: T000165
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 52 nodes and 29 connections (37 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $209,200
Showing top 19 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 9 harmed.
Section 2 of the bill amends the judicial review process of agency interpretations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits for private equity and hedge funds, as it allows for de novo review of all relevant questions of law.
Section 2 of the bill amends the judicial review process of agency interpretations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits for big tech platforms, as it allows for de novo review of all relevant questions of law.
Section 2 of the bill amends the judicial review process of agency interpretations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits for commercial banks, as it allows for de novo review of all relevant questions of law.
Section 2 of the bill amends the judicial review process of agency interpretations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits for insurance companies, as it allows for de novo review of all relevant questions of law.
Section 2 of the bill amends the judicial review process of agency interpretations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits for telecommunications companies, as it allows for de novo review of all relevant questions of law.
Section 2 of the bill amends the judicial review process of agency interpretations, which could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits for pharmaceutical companies, as it allows for de novo review of all relevant questions of law.
+ 3 more industries not shown.
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.
Promptly Ending Political Prosecutions and Executive Retaliation Act of 2025
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of Congress.
Tax Court Improvement Act