Congressional Review Act in the 119th Congress
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress by simple majority vote in both chambers with limited debate, no possibility of a filibuster, and the president’s signature to overturn recently issued regulations. The agency that issued the rule is then prohibited from issuing a new one that is “substantially the same,” but the scope of this prohibition has never been tested in court. Importantly, the CRA includes a carryover period allowing a new Congress to strike down rules issued in the final months of the previous administration.
Featured Rules Targeted for Repeal
Lawmakers are using the CRA to throw out important worker, consumer, health, safety, and environmental protections. In effect, the CRA makes it easy for members of Congress to enrich their industry donors at the public’s expense. No one in either party voted for higher prices, dirtier air and water, more scams and rip-offs, more dangerous workplaces, and deadlier natural disasters, but that’s exactly what we’ll get when lawmakers use the CRA to strike down rules.
Click each rule to learn more. Scroll down for a complete list of CRA resolutions introduced this Congress.
CRA Targets in the 119th Congress
AGENCY | HOUSE BILL | SENATE BILL | STATUS | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment | Energy | H.J. Res. 15 | ||
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters | Energy | H.J. Res. 20 | S.J. Res. 4 | 2/27: Passed House 221-198-2 4/10: Passed Senate 53-44 |
Modernizing H-2 Program Requirements, Oversight, and Worker Protections | Homeland Security | H.J. Res. 21 | ||
Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers | Homeland Security | H.J. Res. 22 | ||
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers | Energy | H.J. Res. 24 | 3/27: Passed House 203-182 4/3: Passed Senate 53-42 |
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Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales | Internal Revenue Service | H.J. Res. 25 | S.J. Res. 3 | 3/11: Passed House 292-132 3/26: Passed Senate 70-28 4/10: Signed by the President |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3 | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 26 | ||
Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 30 H.J. Res. 38 | S.J. Res. 14 | |
Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program | Federal Communications Commission | H.J. Res. 33 | S.J. Res. 7 | |
Increase of the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization and Documentation for Certain Employment Authorization Document Renewal Applicants | Homeland Security | H.J. Res. 23 | S.J. Res. 8 | |
Commission Guidance Regarding the Listing of Voluntary Carbon Credit Derivative Contracts | Commodity Futures Trading Commission | S.J. Res. 9 | ||
Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources | Ocean Energy Management | H.J. Res. 62 | S.J. Res. 11 | 2/25: Passed Senate 54-44 3/6: Passed House 221-202 3/14: Signed by the President |
Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 35 | S.J. Res. 12 | 2/26: Passed House 220-206 2/27: Passed Senate 52-47 3/14: Signed by the President |
Review of Applications Under the Bank Merger Act | Comptroller of the Currency | S.J. Res. 13 | ||
Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 27 H.J. Res. 34 | S.J. Res. 19 | |
Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions | Forest Service | H.J. Res. 36 | S.J. Res. 17 | |
Premerger Notification; Reporting and Waiting Period Requirements | Federal Trade Commission | H.J. Res. 39 | ||
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program | Defense | H.J. Res. 40 | ||
Postsecondary Student Success Grant | Education | H.J. Res. 41 | ||
Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment | Energy | H.J. Res. 42 | S.J. Res. 50 | 2/27: Passed House 221-198 4/30: Passed Senate 52-46 |
New Source Performance Standards Review for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 43 | ||
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements (LCRI) | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 18 H.J. Res. 44 | ||
Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 45 | ||
Decabromodiphenyl Ether and Phenol, Isopropylated Phosphate (3:1); Revision to the Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 46 | ||
Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models | Comptroller of the Currency | H.J. Res. 47 | ||
Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models | Federal Reserve | H.J. Res. 48 | ||
Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models | Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | H.J. Res. 49 | ||
Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models | National Credit Union Administration | H.J. Res. 50 | ||
Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | H.J. Res. 51 | ||
Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models | Federal Housing Finance Agency | H.J. Res. 52 | ||
Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN Reporting; Guidance on Open-End Fund Liquidity Risk Management Programs | Securities and Exchange Commission | H.J. Res. 53 | ||
Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network | H.J. Res. 55 | ||
Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Program and Suspicious Activity Report Filing Requirements for Registered Investment Advisers and Exempt Reporting Advisers | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network | H.J. Res. 56 | ||
Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-High Pressure High Temperature Updates | Interior | H.J. Res. 57 | ||
Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Items and Services Rate Update; and Other Medicare Policies | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | H.J. Res. 58 | ||
Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | H.J. Res. 59 | S.J. Res. 18 | 3/27: Passed Senate 52-48 4/9: Passed House 217-211 |
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles | National Park Service | H.J. Res. 60 | S.J. Res. 30 | 4/29: Passed House 219-205 |
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 61 | S.J. Res. 24 | 3/5: Passed House 216-202 |
Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | H.J. Res. 64 | S.J. Res. 28 | 3/5: Passed Senate 51-47 4/9: Passed House 219-211 |
Rules for Supervisory Approval of Penalties | Internal Revenue Service | H.J. Res. 65 | ||
Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Withdrawal of Technical Amendment | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 66 | S.J. Res. 29 | |
Prohibition on Creditors and Consumer Reporting Agencies Concerning Medical Information (Regulation V) | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | H.J. Res. 74 | S.J. Res. 36 | |
Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency | S.J. Res. 31 | 5/1: Passed Senate 52-46 | |
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers | Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | H.J. Res. 75 | 3/27: Passed House 214-193 | |
Updates to New Chemicals Regulations Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 76 | ||
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Distinct Population Segment of the Longfin Smelt | Fish and Wildlife Service | H.J. Res. 78 | 5/1: Passed House 216-195 | |
Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 79 | ||
Section 45Y Clean Electricity Production Credit and Section 48E Clean Electricity Investment Credit | Internal Revenue Service | S.J. Res. 39 | ||
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers | Energy | S.J. Res. 44 | ||
California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 87 | S.J. Res. 46 | 4/30: Passed House 231-191 |
California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Cars II; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 88 | S.J. Res. 45 | 5/1: Passed House 246-164 |
California State Motor Vehicle and Engine and Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; The 'Omnibus' Low NOX Regulation; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision | Environmental Protection Agency | H.J. Res. 89 | S.J. Res. 47 | 4/30: Passed House 225-196 |
Commission Guidance Regarding the Listing of Voluntary Carbon Credit Derivative Contracts | Commodity Futures Trading Commission | H.J. Res. 90 | ||
Review of Applications Under the Bank Merger Act | Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; Treasury | H.J. Res. 92 |
CSS Resources
House Lawlessly Votes to Repeal California Clean Air Act Waivers
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: April 30, 2025
CRA Resolutions Are Paybacks to Industry
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: April 3, 2025
80 Groups Tell Congress to Reject Lawless Use of the CRA
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: March 31, 2025
CSS and 80 Groups Oppose Misuse of the Congressional Review Act to Target Ineligible Policies
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: March 31, 2025
Congressional Review Act By the Numbers
Center for Progressive Reform: February 25, 2025
The Congressional Review Act: Questions and Answers
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: February 24, 2025
The Law Republicans Are Using to Repeal Biden-Era Regulations Is Fatally Flawed
Center for Progressive Reform: February 24, 2025
CSS Releases Congressional Review Act Resolutions Tracker
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: February 5, 2025
Congressional Review Act Carryover Period Likely to End in May 2025
Public Citizen: December 12, 2024
Congressional Review Act Tracker Methodology
Public Citizen: December 12, 2024
Protections Under Threat: FAQs on the Congressional Review Act
Congressional Progressive Caucus Center: December 3, 2024
Dozens of Commonsense Safeguards Vulnerable to GOP Rollback
Public Citizen: November 22, 2024
Congressional Review Act Targets in the 119th Congress
Public Citizen: November 22, 2024
The Congressional Review Act: Questions and Answers
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards: March 14, 2023
Congressional Review Act in the 118th Congress
Coalition for Sensible Safeguards
GAO Review
Agencies engage in numerous actions, and under the CRA they are required to submit to Congress only those actions that are considered rules. If an agency does not consider its action a rule, it does not need to be submitted to Congress. However, if a member of Congress wants an agency action to be considered a rule under the CRA, the lawmaker can ask the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to determine whether the action should be considered a rule. While the response times vary widely, it takes the GAO on average 207 days to determine CRA eligibility, or nearly seven months. See this tracker for more details: GAO Rule Determinations for CRA Consideration.
Recommended Reading
How Trump and Congress Could Reverse Biden-Era Regulations
The American Prospect: December 9, 2024
If Republicans Sweep on Election Day, They Could Easily Repeal These Biden Policies
Government Executive: November 4, 2024
The Specter of the Congressional Review Act
Defenders of Wildlife: October 23, 2024
The Congressional Review Act: Congress’s Favorite Tool to Undermine Public Health, Labor Rights, and Environmental Protections
Earthjustice: June 21, 2024