This bill allows for expedited consideration of resolutions disapproving certain agency regulations issued at the end of a presidential administration, known as "midnight rules." It streamlines the process in the House of Representatives by allowing votes on multiple disapproval resolutions at once.
Michelle Fischbach
Representative
MN-7
This bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to allow Congress to consider multiple resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules" (regulations finalized near the end of a presidential administration) in a single vote. It streamlines the process for Congress to review and potentially overturn regulations issued in the final days of a presidential term. The resolution sets the procedures for debating and voting on the bill, limiting debate time and restricting amendments.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 218 | 216 | 0 | 2 |
Democrat | 215 | 0 | 205 | 10 |
House Fast-Tracks Bill on 'Midnight Rules': Limits Debate and Streamlines Approval Process
This resolution sets the ground rules for how the House will debate and vote on H.R. 77, a bill targeting last-minute regulations issued by outgoing administrations (aka "midnight rules"). Essentially, it’s a procedural move to fast-track the bill, limiting debate and potential amendments.
Speeding Things Up
The resolution waives certain procedural hurdles that could normally slow down or block a bill. It sets a strict one-hour time limit for debate, split evenly between the chair and ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee (or whoever they designate). It also restricts the types of motions and amendments that can be offered, streamlining the path to a final vote. The bill will be read, which is good for transperency.
Real-World Impact
Imagine a contractor waiting on a final permit before a new administration takes over. If that permit gets caught up in a batch of "midnight rules" being challenged, this bill could mean the difference between getting the green light quickly or facing lengthy delays. For a small business owner, this could impact hiring, expansion, or even staying afloat. For regular folks, it might mean quicker action (or quicker blocking of actions) on regulations that affect everything from product safety to environmental protections. By allowing 'en bloc' consideration, it means multiple rules can be addressed at once, rather than one at a time. Section 2 orders the previous question on the bill and any amendments without intervening motions, except for 1 hour of debate and one motion to recommit.
Potential Challenges
While speeding things up sounds good, there's a catch. Limiting debate and restricting amendments means less opportunity for scrutiny and potential revisions. This could be a problem if the bill has unintended consequences or if there are legitimate concerns that get overlooked in the rush. It’s like approving a major purchase without fully checking the fine print – you might miss something important. The structure of the debate, being equally divided between the chair and ranking minority member of the Judicary Committee, or their designees, means that the debate will be controlled by the heads of the committee, or whoever they choose. The waiving of points of order against the bill's provisions (Section 1) means that certain challenges to the bill's contents are not allowed.