A joint resolution 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 2022-01: Medical Debt Collection and Consumer Reporting Requirements in Connection with the No Surprises Act".
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 148
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T17:09:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
S.J. Res. 148: Joint Resolution Disapproving CFPB Rule on Withdrawal of Bulletin 2022-01
Purpose
This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA)—a law allowing Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules—to disapprove a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) action. Specifically, it targets the CFPB's decision to withdraw its earlier guidance (Bulletin 2022-01) on handling medical debt under the No Surprises Act, a 2020 law protecting patients from unexpected medical bills.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of CFPB Rule: Congress declares the CFPB's rule (published May 12, 2025, at 90 Fed. Reg. 20084) null and void, giving it "no force or effect."
- Targeted Rule: The disapproved action is the CFPB's withdrawal of Bulletin 2022-01 (published January 20, 2022, at 87 Fed. Reg. 3025), which provided guidance on medical debt collection and credit reporting tied to No Surprises Act protections.
- Immediate Effect: If enacted, the resolution reinstates Bulletin 2022-01 by blocking its withdrawal.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reinstates Prior Guidance: Reverses the CFPB's 2025 withdrawal, restoring the 2022 bulletin as effective CFPB policy without needing new rulemaking.
- No Broader Amendments: Does not alter the No Surprises Act or CRA itself; applies only to this specific agency action.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Limits CFPB's ability to retract its own guidance, potentially requiring ongoing enforcement of the bulletin; may set precedent for congressional oversight of CFPB decisions.
- On Citizens: Maintains CFPB guidance protecting consumers from improper medical debt collection and negative credit reporting for surprise bills, benefiting patients with medical debt.
- On Businesses: Debt collectors and credit reporting agencies (e.g., Equifax, Experian) must continue following the bulletin's requirements, such as delaying credit reporting for certain medical debts.
- No Direct International Effects.
Main Stakeholders
- Consumers/Patients: Gain continued protections against surprise medical billing debts affecting credit.
- CFPB: Agency authority challenged; must adhere to reinstated guidance.
- Debt Collectors and Credit Bureaus: Face ongoing compliance obligations.
- Healthcare Providers/Insurers: Indirectly affected via medical billing processes under No Surprises Act.
- Congress: Asserts oversight via CRA.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Invokes CRA's fast-track process (simple majority vote, no presidential signature needed if passed under certain conditions), highlighting Congress's check on executive agencies.
- Constitutional: Reinforces separation of powers by allowing legislative reversal of agency actions.
- Political: Introduced by Sen. Murray (D-WA) on March 26, 2026, and referred to Senate Banking Committee; signals partisan debate over consumer protections and agency independence in the 119th Congress. No court challenges implied, but could prompt CFPB litigation if enacted.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in Senate
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 2022–01: Medical Debt Collection and Consumer Reporting Requirements in Connection with the No Surprises Act. — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (2 pages)