Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Bulletin 2023-01: Unfair Billing and Collection Practices After Bankruptcy Discharges of Certain Student Loan Debts".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 182
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T20:16:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 182) uses the Congressional Review Act (a law allowing Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules) to disapprove a specific action by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB), an agency that regulates financial products to protect consumers.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of CFPB rule: Congress disapproves the CFPB's rule withdrawing "Bulletin 2023-01: Unfair Billing and Collection Practices After Bankruptcy Discharges of Certain Student Loan Debts" (originally published March 23, 2023).
- No force or effect: The CFPB's withdrawal rule (published May 12, 2025) is nullified, meaning Bulletin 2023-01 remains active.
- Introduced May 12, 2026, by Rep. Bynum and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reverses the CFPB's decision to withdraw its own guidance bulletin, effectively reinstating protections against certain debt collection practices for student loans discharged (canceled) in bankruptcy.
- No direct changes to statutes; applies the Congressional Review Act to block an agency rulemaking action.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Restores CFPB guidance prohibiting debt collectors from resuming collection on student loans discharged in bankruptcy (e.g., no demands for payment or threats), potentially benefiting borrowers with discharged debts.
- On government agencies: Limits CFPB's ability to retract its own bulletins via formal rulemaking, subjecting such actions to congressional oversight.
- No international relations impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Student loan borrowers: Gain continued protections from aggressive collection post-bankruptcy discharge.
- Debt collectors and student loan servicers/lenders: Face reinstated restrictions on billing and collection tactics.
- CFPB: Regulatory authority checked by Congress.
- Congress: Asserts oversight over executive agency actions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Invokes Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 8), a fast-track process for simple-majority disapproval of agency rules; once passed, the rule cannot be reissued without new statutory authority.
- Constitutional: Reinforces congressional oversight of executive agencies under the separation of powers.
- Political: Demonstrates Congress's power to reverse agency policy shifts, potentially signaling partisan divides on consumer protection and student debt relief (neutral observation from bill text).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Bulletin 2023–01: Unfair Billing and Collection Practices After Bankruptcy Discharges of Certain Student Loan Debts". — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (2 pages)