Congressional Review Reform Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4112

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-24: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T15:25:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Congressional Review Reform Act of 2025 aims to modify the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law that allows Congress to review and potentially overturn rules issued by federal agencies. Specifically, it seeks to give Congress more flexibility by removing strict time limits for disapproving such rules.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is titled the "Congressional Review Reform Act of 2025."
• Amendments to Section 801 of Title 5, U.S. Code:
• Removes subsection (d), which originally imposed a 60-day calendar day limit (starting from when the rule is submitted to Congress or published) for Congress to pass a joint resolution disapproving a rule. After this period, the rule could no longer be overturned under the CRA.
• Renumbers the remaining subsections (e) through (g) as (d) through (f) to maintain the structure of the law.
• Amendments to Section 802 of Title 5, U.S. Code:
• Revises subsection (a) to clarify the exact wording and requirements for a "joint resolution" used to disapprove a rule. It specifies that such resolutions must be introduced only after Congress receives the required report on the rule and must include language stating that the rule "shall have no force or effect."
• Removes subsection (e), which likely dealt with procedural details for introducing resolutions.
• Renumbers subsections (f) and (g) as (e) and (f).

These changes focus on procedural adjustments to the CRA without adding new requirements for agencies or altering the overall process for submitting rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Elimination of Time Limit: The most notable change is the removal of the 60-day "lookback" window in section 801(d). Under current law, Congress has a limited period to act on a rule; after that, it takes effect permanently unless overturned by other means. This bill eliminates that deadline, allowing Congress to disapprove rules at any time after submission.
• Streamlined Resolution Procedures: Updates to section 802 simplify the language for joint resolutions and remove certain subsections, potentially making the disapproval process more straightforward but without expanding Congress's authority beyond the CRA's core framework.
• No changes are made to how agencies submit rules or to the requirement that rules be reported to Congress before taking effect.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Federal agencies (e.g., EPA, FDA) may face prolonged uncertainty about the status of their rules, as Congress could theoretically review and disapprove them indefinitely. This could delay implementation of regulations on issues like environmental protection or public health.
• On Citizens: Individuals and businesses affected by agency rules might experience extended legal ambiguity, potentially benefiting those opposing regulations (e.g., by allowing more time for congressional intervention) but harming those relying on timely rule enforcement (e.g., consumer protections).
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though rules on trade, sanctions, or foreign policy could be affected if Congress uses the extended review period to alter agency actions involving other countries.
• Overall, the bill could lead to more congressional oversight of the executive branch, potentially slowing the regulatory process.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: Gains greater control over agency rulemaking by removing time constraints, empowering lawmakers to address rules from prior administrations more easily.
• Federal Agencies: Executive branch entities issuing rules (e.g., Department of Labor, SEC) may see increased scrutiny and risk of reversal.
• Businesses and Industry Groups: Often oppose new regulations; they could benefit from easier congressional blocks on rules affecting commerce, labor, or environment.
• Advocacy Groups and Citizens: Pro-regulation groups (e.g., environmental or labor advocates) may face challenges in ensuring rules take permanent effect, while those favoring deregulation could find more opportunities to influence outcomes.
• The President and Executive Branch: Could complicate policy implementation, especially during transitions between administrations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: By removing the time limit, the bill could invite challenges questioning whether indefinite review periods comply with administrative law principles, such as the need for timely finality in regulations (e.g., under the Administrative Procedure Act). It might also increase litigation over rule validity if disapprovals occur long after issuance.
• Constitutional Implications: Enhances Congress's oversight role under Article I (legislative power), potentially checking executive overreach in rulemaking. However, it could raise separation-of-powers concerns if seen as unduly interfering with the president's authority to execute laws.
• Political Implications: Likely to appeal to lawmakers seeking to curb agency actions from opposing parties, especially at the start of a new Congress. It may politicize the regulatory process further, with the bill's introduction by Republican representatives suggesting partisan motivations to target rules from a Democratic administration. No direct impact on voting rights or civil liberties is evident.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-24: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-24: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Congressional Review Reform Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (2 pages)