Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act

119 HR 9653 IH: Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2026-07-13
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EN
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I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9653IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 13, 2026Mr. Knott introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo establish special rules for certain agency adjudications, and for other purposes. 
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act.  2.Agency adjudications (a)AdjudicationsChapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 706 the following:  
 
706A.Special rules for certain agency adjudications 
(a)Agency adjudication 
(1)DemurrerExcept as provided in subsection (c), a party against whom an agency adjudication is initiated may file with the adjudicator a demurrer. (2)Final order of dismissalIf the party makes a filing described in paragraph (1), the adjudicator shall issue a final order of dismissal with prejudice. 
(b)Civil action 
(1)In generalNot later than 90 days after an agency adjudication is dismissed with respect to a party under subsection (a), the agency may commence a civil action against such party in the district court for the district in which the alleged violation occurred setting forth the violations alleged in such agency adjudication. No such action may be commenced after the expiration of such 90-day period. (2)Jury trialA defendant in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to a trial by jury. 
(3)DefenseNotwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be a defense to an action described in paragraph (1) that an alleged violation of an agency rule, order, or consent decree was reasonable under the circumstances. (c)Exceptions (1)In generalThis section does not apply with respect to any matter pertaining to— 
(A)the immigration laws (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act); (B)national security; 
(C)the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (D)bankruptcy; 
(E)patent; or (F)a Federal benefit. 
(2)Federal benefit definedIn this section, the term Federal benefit means any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an individual, household, or family eligibility unit by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States.. (b)DefinitionsSection 701(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking relief, and agency action and inserting relief, party, adjudication, and agency action. 
(c)Table of sectionsThe table of sections for chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 706 the following:   706A. Special rules for certain agency adjudications..