Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Republican Attempts To Codify Donald Trump’s Attacks On Our Judiciary Into Law In Their So-Called “Big, Beautiful Bill”

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to call out Republicans for the draconian provision added to their “Big, Beautiful Bill” that virtually grants Donald Trump the power to defy courts without repercussions, announcing Democrats will fight this with every tool possible. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

We all know that Donald Trump sees himself as a king more than he does a president. He’s said it himself.

Well, the Republicans’ so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” will effectively place a crown on Donald Trump’s head.

Buried deep in the Republicans’ bill is a nasty provision that would restrict the power of judges to hold government officials in contempt for violating court orders.

The goal of this provision is very obvious: Republicans want to codify Donald Trump’s attacks on our judiciary into law.

When Senate Republicans include this lawless provision in their bill, Democrats will use every procedural hurdle in existence to kill it, including in the Byrd Bath process.

Because this type of draconian provision is a better fit for a dictatorship than for a democracy.

Republicans want to defang the power of the courts.

They want to make it easier, in effect, for the Trump administration to defy court rulings.

If judges can’t hold intransigent public officials in contempt, the judges’ rulings are basically meaningless. Why bother having courts if you’re just going to ignore them? This is a naked attack on the separation of powers – a very serious and damaging provision if it ever would be enacted.

If Republicans think they can pull a fast one on our courts by slipping this devious provision in their bill, they’re dead wrong.

Democrats will fight with every tool we have to stop this provision from ever – ever – becoming law.

###