A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations".

Overview

• Bill: SJRES 196 (119th Congress)
• Type: Joint Resolution disapproving a Department of Education rule under the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code)
• Purpose: To nullify the Department of Education’s final regulations titled “Reimagining and Improving Student Education—Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations”
• Date introduced: June 4, 2026
• Principal sponsors: Sheldon (Kent) Merkley, Angela Alsobrooks, Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer
• Status: As of the latest action, placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar; discharged from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions by petition

What the bill does

• The joint resolution provides congressional disapproval of the Department of Education’s final rule published at 91 Fed. Reg. 23768 (May 1, 2026).
• Under the Congressional Review Act, a joint resolution disapproving a rule has the effect of voiding the rule; the rule would have no force or effect if the resolution becomes law.
• In short: if enacted, the Department of Education’s “Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations” would be repealed and treated as if it never took effect.

Key provisions and changes

• Disapproval mechanism: The bill uses the CRA disapproval pathway to negate a federal agency rule.
• Effective impact: The rule in question would be nullified, restoring the status quo prior to the May 1, 2026 publication date for purposes of the specific regulatory changes addressed by the final regulations.
• No alternative standards imposed: The resolution simply disapproves the specified rule; it does not create new DOE regulations or funding changes by itself. Any substantive policy shift would require separate statutory action.

Who/what would be affected

• Federal student loan policy and programs administered by the Department of Education that are specifically addressed by the “Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations.”
• Students, borrowers, loan servicers, and institutions interacting with federal student loan programs could experience changes depending on how the disapproval interacts with preexisting regulations and any remaining DOE guidance tied to the disapproved rule.
• DOE regulatory processes: The disapproval would prevent the final rule from taking effect, potentially affecting timelines for implementation of related reforms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

• Introduction and referral: Filed June 4, 2026; referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
• Discharge: The committee was discharged by petition on June 10, 2026, per the action history, enabling further floor consideration.
• Calendar placement: As of June 10, 2026, placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 432), signaling readiness for potential floor action.
• Rule identification: The targeted rule is documented as 91 Fed. Reg. 23768, published May 1, 2026.
• Legislative trigger: If enacted, the CRA disapproval becomes law, thereby voiding the final regulations.

Practical considerations

• The bill does not amend the underlying statutory framework governing federal student loans; it only negates a specific DOE rule.
• The timing of action relative to the rule’s effective date (if any) is central: disapproval by Congress would preclude the rule from taking effect or from having force and effect.
• Enforcement and compliance: Agencies and stakeholders would revert to prior regulatory standards and practices for the areas covered by the disapproved rule, unless and until new regulations are proposed and enacted.