H.R. 9653 – Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act

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Updated July 14, 2026 at 4:45 PM UTC

The Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act adds new rules for certain agency adjudications. It lets a party facing an agency case file a demurrer, which forces the adjudicator to dismiss the case with prejudice. After dismissal, the agency may sue the party in federal district court within 90 days, and the defendant is entitled to a jury trial and can argue the violation was reasonable. The provisions do not apply to immigration, national security, tax, bankruptcy, patent, or federal‑benefit matters.

Key Provisions

Allows a party to file a demurrer in an agency adjudication, leading to automatic dismissal with prejudice.
Permits the agency to bring a civil action in district court within 90 days of dismissal; no action after 90 days.
Guarantees a jury trial for defendants in such civil actions.
Provides a defense that the alleged violation was reasonable under the circumstances.
Excludes these rules from cases involving immigration, national security, tax, bankruptcy, patent, or any federal benefit.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4422)

July 14, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 13, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 13, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4422)

July 14, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 13, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9653

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 13, 2026

Mr. Knott introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To establish special rules for certain agency adjudications, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act.

2.

Agency adjudications

(a)

Adjudications

Chapter 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)

Demurrer

Except 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 dismissal

If 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 general

Not 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 trial

A defendant in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to a trial by jury.

(3)

Defense

Notwithstanding 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 general

This 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 defined

In 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)

Definitions

Section 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 sections

The 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.

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