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Congressional Review Act in the 118th Congress

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress by a simple majority vote in both chambers — with limited debate and no possibility of a filibuster — to overturn recently issued regulations, so long as the president does not veto the resolution of disapproval. The CRA’s expedited process applies only for a short time after a final regulation has been issued and published in the Federal Register.

If a resolution of disapproval becomes law, the targeted rule is void and can have no effect. In addition, the agency is prohibited from issuing another regulation that is “substantially the same,” unless Congress authorizes the agency to do so through subsequent legislation. Because the courts have never determined how different a new regulation must be so that is not “substantially the same,” the scope of this prohibition remains unclear and untested.

The table below lists rules that have been targeted for repeal.

TARGETED RULEAGENCYHOUSE BILLSENATE BILLSTATUS
Lesser Prairie-Chicken Endangered Species ProtectionsFish and Wildlife ServiceH.J. Res. 29S.J. Res. 905/03/23 - Passed Senate 51-49

07/27/23 - Passed House 221-206

09/26/23 - Biden vetoed
Veterans Affairs Abortion CounselingVeterans AffairsH.J. Res. 31S.J. Res. 1004/19/23 - Failed Senate 48-51
Allowing ESG Investing in Employee Benefit PlansLaborH.J. Res. 30S.J. Res. 802/28/23 - Passed House 216-204

03/01/23 - Passed Senate 50-46

03/21/23 - Biden vetoed
Heavy-Duty Engine Air Pollution StandardsEnvironmental Protection AgencyH.J. Res. 53S.J. Res. 1104/26/23 - Passed Senate 50-49

05/23/23 - Passed House 221-203

06/14/23 - Biden vetoed
Duties on Imported Solar CellsCommerceH.J. Res. 39S.J. Res. 1504/28/23 - Passed House 221-202

05/03/23 - Passed Senate 56-41

05/16/23 - Biden vetoed
Waters of the United StatesArmy Corps of Engineers / Defense / Environmental Protection AgencyH.J. Res. 27S.J. Res. 703/09/23 - Passed House 227-198

03/29/23 - Passed Senate 53-43

04/06/23 - Biden vetoed
Student Debt ReliefEducationH.J. Res. 45S.J. Res. 2205/24/23 - Passed House 218-203

06/01/23 - Passed Senate 52-46

06/07/23 - Biden vetoed
Critical Habitat DesignationsNational Marine Fisheries ServiceH.J. Res. 46S.J. Res. 2305/11/23 - Passed Senate 51-49
Northern Long-Eared Bat Endangered Species ProtectionsFish and Wildlife ServiceH.J. Res. 49S.J. Res. 2405/11/23 - Passed Senate 51-49

07/27/23 - Passed House 220-208

09/26/23 - Biden vetoed
Small Business LendingConsumer Financial Protection BureauH.J. Res. 50
Firearms with Stabilizing BracesAlcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and ExplosivesH.J. Res. 44S.J. Res. 20
Wages for Temporary Foreign Agricultural WorkersLaborH.J. Res. 59S.J. Res. 25
Small Business LendingConsumer Financial Protection BureauH.J. Res. 66S.J. Res. 32