A deeply concerning and underreported threat is quietly embedded in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s version of the reconciliation package—Subtitle B, Section 203 of H.R. 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” While the bill includes language to remove Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs) from the National Firearms Act—a win for gun owners on the surface—it also hides a ticking time bomb for constitutional rights buried on page 92.
This provision would require any individual or group seeking a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against the federal government to first post a bond equal to the “costs and damages” the government claims it might incur if the lawsuit delays or blocks enforcement.
Let that sink in: If you or your organization wanted to stop an unconstitutional gun ban, red flag law, or permit restriction while the case makes its way through the courts, you would first have to pay what could amount to millions—if not billions—of dollars, just to ask the court to pause the government’s actions.
This isn’t legal reform. It’s a financial blockade on justice.
The courts often issue preliminary injunctions to stop irreversible harm before it’s too late. That’s how Americans challenge unconstitutional laws before lives and liberties are destroyed. But under this Senate-inserted provision, access to that protection would hinge not on the merits of your case, but on your ability to pay.
As Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick recently warned:
“Requiring potentially massive bonds to enjoin government action could prevent many or even most such lawsuits from being filed in the first place, because few would have the means to pay upfront.”
For the Second Amendment community, the consequences are especially dire. If this provision passes, grassroots pro-gun organizations, FFL holders, small businesses, and everyday Americans will be effectively barred from the courts unless they have deep-pocketed legal war chests. The ATF, DOJ, or any federal agency could steamroll your rights, and your only option would be to accept it—or go broke trying to fight it.
This is not a partisan issue. It’s a coordinated attempt to insulate the federal government from accountability, placing wealth as the new price of constitutional rights.
The time to act is now. Sign the petition below to help fight back!
Download your PDF with instructions on how to fight back
Follow the instructions beloaw to fight back
Stand against the Bond Requirement hidden in HR 1.
Copy the following message.
I am writing to urge you to oppose Subtitle B, Section 203 of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was added by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This provision poses a serious threat to the ability of everyday Americans to defend their constitutional rights in court.
If enacted, this section would require any individual or organization seeking a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against the federal government to post a bond equal to the “costs and damages” the government claims it might incur if the injunction is granted.
This would effectively shut down access to justice for most Americans. Few individuals or public interest groups could afford to pay such a bond, which could amount to millions or even billions of dollars, just to ask the courts to pause a potentially unlawful or unconstitutional government action.
As Justice Clint Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court stated:
“Requiring potentially massive bonds to enjoin government action could prevent many or even most such lawsuits from being filed in the first place… Many parties would have no choice but to accept violations of their rights rather than seek legal redress.”
This is not about protecting taxpayers. It’s about shielding the government from accountability. This provision would put vital legal tools—like restraining orders and injunctions—out of reach, leaving individuals and organizations defenseless against unlawful government policies.
Whether the issue is freedom of speech, religious liberty, privacy, due process, or any other constitutionally protected right, this provision rigs the system in favor of unchecked federal power. It sends the message that unless you’re wealthy, you don’t get to challenge the government—no matter how serious the harm.
I respectfully urge you to oppose this dangerous provision and demand that Subtitle B, Section 203 be removed from H.R. 1. Access to justice must be based on the merits of a case, not the financial status of the person bringing it.
Thank you for your service and attention to this critical matter.
Visit your senator’s website contact page (links listed below)
Maryland
Chris Van Hollen :
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact/email
Angela Alsobrooks:
https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Delaware
Chris Coons:
https://www.coons.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Lisa Blunt Rochester:
https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Virginia
Mark Warner:
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Tim Kane:
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Fill out the necessary information. Paste the text into the message portion of the online form and hit submit.
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