Belt-and-Suspenders Drafting

Definition

A legislative drafting approach where Congress uses overlapping or redundant terms to ensure complete coverage of a subject, preferring to have some redundancy rather than risk leaving gaps. It reflects a 'better safe than sorry' approach to lawmaking.

Examples

• •The government argues Congress used 'loss,' 'miscarriage,' and 'negligent transmission' as overlapping terms to ensure no mail-related claim could slip through the postal exception.

Related Terms