S. 164: Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025, proposes changes to the way Congress can disapprove of certain rules created by federal agencies at the end of a president's term, commonly referred to as "midnight rules."

Key Provisions

En Bloc Consideration: The bill allows Congress to consider multiple resolutions for disapproving rules at once, rather than having to examine each rule separately. This is termed 'en bloc consideration' and applies specifically to rules that were submitted during the last year of a President's term.
Modification of Joint Resolutions: It modifies existing statutes to stipulate that the resolutions of disapproval can include one or more rules. This means that Congress could group together several rules into a single resolution, making the disapproval process more efficient.
Specificity in Resolutions: The bill outlines that when Congress disapproves a rule, it must clearly identify the specific rules being disapproved in the resolution. The resolution will read something like, 'Congress disapproves the following rules: the rule submitted by the __ relating to __.' This ensures transparency and clarity in what is being disapproved.

Purpose

The intent behind this bill is to streamline the process of disapproving regulations that were enacted in the final year of a presidential administration. Supporters might argue that these rules often bypass thorough scrutiny and could be unchecked, while the process established by this bill aims to provide a mechanism for Congress to collectively address them efficiently.

Scope

This bill specifically targets rules published in the last year of a president's term, which are often seen as politically charged and potentially controversial. The implication is that it would simplify the legislative process for addressing these rules and hold federal agencies accountable for their actions during a transitional government phase.

Impact

While the bill itself does not impose direct regulations or requirements on agencies, its passage may influence how rules are created and approved toward the end of future administrations. It emphasizes Congressional oversight and the importance of control over regulatory frameworks instituted by outgoing administrations.