Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program".

Summary of H.J.Res.155 (118th Congress) — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Note: This summary reflects the content as introduced and described in the bill text and related materials provided.

1. Purpose and Intent

• The bill is a joint resolution that seeks to disapprove a rule issued by the Department of Education (ED) related to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program.
• Specifically, it invokes Congress’s authority under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Chapter 8 of Title 5, to nullify or override a recently issued ED rule.
• If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect.

2. Key Provisions and Changes

• Disapproval under CRA: The joint resolution states that Congress disapproves the ED rule titled the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program rule, identified in the bill text by the Federal Register citation 90 Fed. Reg. 48966 (October 31, 2025).
• Legal Effect: Upon enactment, the rule would be treated as having no force or effect.
• Scope: This action is limited to disapproving the specific ED rule cited; it does not directly amend or replace other aspects of the Direct Loan program outside the scope of the disapproved rule.

3. Who/What Would Be Affected

• Direct Effect: The ED rule in question would be rendered ineffective if the joint resolution becomes law.
• Direct Loan Program: The Rule relates to the William D. Ford Direct Loan program; therefore, affected entities include federal student loan borrowers, loan servicers, and ED program administrators subject to rules governing eligibility, repayment, interest, disclosures, or other administrative aspects addressed in the rule.
• Administrative Agencies: The Department of Education would be prevented from enforcing or implementing the disapproved rule as written.

4. Procedural and Timeline Aspects

• Introduction: The joint resolution was introduced in the House on April 9, 2026.
• Referral: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• Legislative Vehicle: The resolution uses the CRA mechanism to disapprove a federal rule. If passed by both chambers and signed into law (or enacted under the CRA’s procedures), the rule’s effect would be nullified.
• Usually, under the CRA, a joint resolution of disapproval is subject to expedited procedures, and the President’s veto would be a potential hurdle, though standard legislative paths apply.

5. Sponsorship and Support

• Primary sponsor: Representative Courtney (and a list of cosponsors including many House Democrats).
• Notable co-sponsors include members such as Gwen Moore, Pramila Jayapal, Rosa DeLauro, Adam Schiff, and others listed in the sponsor roster.
• The broad caucus support suggests this is part of a larger policy effort regarding federal student loan administration and borrower protections.

6. Contextual Notes (If You’re Connecting to Broader Policy Debates)

• The bill targets administrative rulemaking by the Department of Education related to the Direct Loan program, which affects federal student loan terms, repayment options, borrower protections, default provisions, or program administration.
• It reflects ongoing congressional oversight and legislative checks on federal regulatory actions under the CRA, enabling Congress to disapprove agency rules without altering statute directly.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill’s scope to the specific provisions of the referenced ED rule (90 Fed. Reg. 48966) or provide a side-by-side timeline of CRA disapproval processes and potential implications for borrowers and servicers.