Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 28) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications"; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1526) to amend title 28, United States Code, to limit the authority of district courts to provide injunctive relief, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 22) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

Bill Number: H.Res. 294
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-04-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Last Updated: 2026-06-26T08:07:52Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

H. Res. 294 is a procedural resolution adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 8, 2025. Its main goal is to set special rules for debating and voting on four specific legislative items (two joint resolutions disapproving rules from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and two bills addressing court injunctions and voter registration). This allows these items to move forward quickly by waiving certain standard procedural obstacles, limiting debate, and restricting amendments.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Makes S.J. Res. 18 (disapproving a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule on overdraft lending by very large financial institutions) eligible for House consideration. Waives all points of order (objections based on House rules), treats the resolution as already read, and orders the "previous question" (ending debate and forcing a vote). Allows 1 hour of debate, split equally between the majority and minority leaders of the House Financial Services Committee (or their designees), plus one motion to commit (send to committee for changes).

Section 2: Applies the same procedural rules to S.J. Res. 28 (disapproving a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule defining larger participants in markets for general-use digital consumer payment apps, like digital wallets). Debate is controlled by the House Financial Services Committee leaders.

Section 3: Sets rules for H.R. 1526 (a bill to amend U.S. court procedures under title 28 of the United States Code to limit federal district courts' power to issue injunctions, which are court orders to stop or require actions). Adopts a committee-recommended substitute amendment automatically, waives points of order, and limits debate to 1 hour controlled by the House Judiciary Committee leaders, with one motion to recommit (return to committee).

Section 4: Provides similar fast-track rules for H.R. 22 (a bill to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship—like a passport or birth certificate—for registering to vote in federal elections). Debate is limited to 1 hour controlled by the House Administration Committee leaders, with one motion to recommit.

Section 5: Adopts House Resolution 293 (likely another procedural measure, though its details are not specified here).

Section 6: Lays House Resolution 164 on the table (postpones it indefinitely, effectively setting it aside).

Overall, the resolution ensures these items can proceed to a vote with minimal interruptions, treating them as already read and blocking most amendments or delays.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution itself does not directly change any laws; it is a House rule that only affects internal legislative procedures. However, it facilitates the potential passage of the underlying bills and resolutions:

S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28 would use the Congressional Review Act (a 1996 law allowing Congress to overturn recent agency rules) to block Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations on banking practices.
H.R. 1526 would narrow federal courts' ability to issue nationwide injunctions (broad orders affecting policies across the country), shifting more power toward legislative or executive branches.
H.R. 22 would add a new citizenship verification requirement to federal voter registration, altering how states handle elections under the 1993 law (which currently relies on self-attestation of citizenship without proof).

If passed, these could override or modify recent agency actions and existing statutes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could lose two rules aimed at regulating big banks' overdraft fees and digital payment oversight, potentially slowing consumer protections in finance. Federal courts might face reduced authority to block policies, affecting how agencies enforce rules.

On Citizens: Voters could need to provide citizenship documents for federal election registration, which might complicate access for some (e.g., those without easy access to birth certificates) but aim to prevent non-citizen voting. Consumers might see less regulation on overdraft lending and digital payments, possibly leading to higher fees or risks.

On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though changes to financial rules could indirectly affect U.S. banks' global operations in digital payments.

The resolution speeds up House action, potentially allowing these measures to reach the Senate or President faster, influencing policy timelines.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Congressional Committees: House Financial Services (on financial rules), Judiciary (on court powers), and Administration (on voting)—their leaders control debate.
Financial Institutions: Large banks and digital payment providers (e.g., those offering apps like Venmo) benefit from blocked regulations on overdrafts and market oversight.
Voters and Elections Officials: U.S. citizens registering to vote in federal elections; state election boards may need to implement new proof requirements.
Federal Courts and Agencies: District judges lose some injunctive power; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rulemaking authority is challenged.
General Public: Consumers of banking services and voters, with broader effects on election integrity and financial protections.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Relies on the Congressional Review Act for the joint resolutions, a tool for quick reversal of agency rules within a 60-day window. H.R. 22 raises questions under the Constitution's elections clause (giving states primary voting authority) and could face lawsuits over voter access under the Voting Rights Act. H.R. 1526 might limit judicial review, a key check on executive power.

Constitutional: No direct violations, but H.R. 22 could spark debates on equal protection (14th Amendment) if it disproportionately affects certain groups. The resolution's waivers bypass standard House rules, emphasizing majority control.

Political: As a partisan tool (common in divided Congresses), it streamlines conservative priorities like deregulation and election security. Adoption signals House leadership's agenda, potentially increasing gridlock if the Senate disagrees, and highlights tensions between Congress, agencies, and courts.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]

Recent Actions

2025-04-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-04-08: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 - 211 (Roll no. 92). (text: CR H1473) (Roll call 92)
2025-04-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 - 211 (Roll no. 92). (text: CR H1473: 2) (Roll call 92)
2025-04-08: On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 211 (Roll no. 91). (Roll call 91)
2025-04-08: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1480-1481)
2025-04-08: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 294, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2025-04-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 294.
2025-04-08: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H1473-1480)
2025-04-07: Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 15.
2025-04-07: The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28.
2025-04-07: The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-50, by Ms. Foxx.
2025-04-07: The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-50, by Ms. Foxx.

Bill Versions

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 28) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications"; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1526) to amend title 28, United States Code, to limit the authority of district courts to provide injunctive relief, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 22) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes; and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (3 pages)
Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 18) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 28) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications"; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1526) to amend title 28, United States Code, to limit the authority of district courts to provide injunctive relief, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 22) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes; and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (6 pages)