Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Bulletin 2012-04: Lending discrimination (April 18, 2012)".

119th Congress Introduced by Joyce Beatty

The bill would prevent the CFPB from withdrawing its lending-discrimination rule, keeping the original rule in effect.

Introduced in House

Purpose and Intent

H.J.Res. 161 proposes congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a federal rule submitted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The rule being targeted concerns the withdrawal of the CFPB’s rule related to “Bulletin 2012-04: Lending discrimination” (issued April 18, 2012). In essence, the resolution would block the CFPB’s withdrawal action and restore or maintain the previously issued rule’s status by negating the agency’s withdrawal.

Key Provisions and Changes

Congressional Disapproval: The resolution directs that Congress disapprove the CFPB’s rule withdrawal action under the procedures of the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 8). If enacted, this prevents the withdrawal from taking effect and thereby preserves the status quo of the rule or prevents its repeal.

No Regulatory Content Change by the Bill Itself: The resolution does not itself amend or replace regulatory text; rather, it uses Congress’s disapproval authority to halt the agency’s withdrawal of the rule.

Mechanism of Action: If passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the President (or if Congress overrides a veto where applicable), the disapproval resolution would nullify the CFPB’s withdrawal and reinstate the rule as if the withdrawal never occurred.

Who/What Is Affected

Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The agency that issued the withdrawal action related to Bulletin 2012-04 would be constrained; the agency would be required to maintain the validity of the withdrawn rule or the rule’s original status.

Financial Institutions and Lenders: Entities subject to CFPB interpretations and rules on lending discrimination and enforcement could be affected, as the disapproval would prevent the policy change associated with withdrawing Bulletin 2012-04 guidance.

Consumers: Potential beneficiaries include borrowers and protected classes who were the focus of the original lending discrimination bulletin, depending on how the rule interacts with enforcement and guidance.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction: The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the Committee on Financial Services (April 30, 2026).

Referred to Committee: The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services for consideration, which can hold hearings, make amendments, or report the bill to the full House.

Action Timeline: As a concurrent resolution under the Congressional Review Act, passage requires approval by both chambers of Congress and the President (or potential reconciliation or veto scenarios). If not enacted, the CFPB’s withdrawal could proceed.

Notes

The bill is sponsored with a co-sponsor: Joyce Beatty.

The status is limited to the House; no Senate action is indicated in the provided record.

If you’d like, I can add context on Bulletin 2012-04 and the prior status of the CFPB rule withdrawal, or provide a risk/impact assessment from different stakeholder perspectives.

Bill