Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 155
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:06:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 155) aims to disapprove a specific rule issued by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) on the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, using the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA is a law that lets Congress overturn certain federal agency rules shortly after they are issued.
Key Provisions
- Congress formally disapproves the DOE rule published in the Federal Register (90 Fed. Reg. 48966, October 31, 2025).
- The disapproved rule is declared to have no force or effect, meaning it cannot be implemented.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- No new laws are created; instead, it blocks a recently issued DOE regulation from taking effect.
- This reverses the agency's attempt to update or expand rules under the Direct Loan Program, which provides federal student loans to college students and parents.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Prevents DOE from enforcing the rule, potentially saving administrative resources but limiting its regulatory authority over student loans.
- On citizens: Affects student loan borrowers by stopping whatever changes the rule proposed (e.g., loan terms, forgiveness options, or eligibility), maintaining the status quo.
- On education sector: Higher education institutions and loan servicers avoid adapting to new requirements.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Education: Loses the ability to implement the rule.
- Student loan borrowers: Primarily college students, parents, and recent graduates relying on Direct Loans.
- Higher education institutions: Colleges and universities involved in federal loan processing.
- Congressional sponsors: Over 50 House members (mostly Democrats, led by Rep. Courtney) who introduced the resolution.
- Loan servicers and financial entities: Companies handling federal loan repayments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Invokes the CRA (chapter 8, title 5, U.S. Code), a fast-track process requiring simple majorities in both chambers and presidential signature (or veto override); it ensures the rule cannot be reissued in substantially similar form without new congressional approval.
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's oversight of executive branch rulemaking under Article I powers.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan potential in education policy but highlights partisan divides, as sponsors are predominantly from one party; could set precedent for challenging DOE regulations on student debt relief or loan management.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (67)
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] and 17 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program". — issued 2026-04-09 — PDF (2 pages)