Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 77) to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules", and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Michelle Fischbach

HRES 122 streamlines Congress's ability to disapprove multiple "midnight rules," enhancing legislative efficiency in overseeing executive regulations.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Summary of HRES 122

Bill Number: HRES 122
Title: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 77) to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules", and for other purposes.
Status: Motion to reconsider laid on the table; Agreed to without objection.
Introduced: February 10, 2025
Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HRES 122 is a resolution that facilitates the consideration of H.R. 77, known as the Midnight Rules Relief Act. The primary intent of this resolution is to amend the procedures governing how Congress can disapprove of certain regulatory actions, specifically those enacted during the final days of an administration, often referred to as "midnight rules."

Key Provisions

Closed Rule: The resolution establishes a closed rule for the consideration of H.R. 77, meaning no amendments can be made to the bill during the debate.

Waivers:

All points of order against the consideration of H.R. 77 are waived, allowing the bill to be debated without procedural hurdles.
All points of order against the provisions within H.R. 77 are also waived, which is described as a prophylactic measure, indicating that no known issues are anticipated.

Debate Structure:

The resolution allows for one hour of general debate on H.R. 77, which will be equally divided between the chair and the ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their designees.
The resolution permits one motion to recommit, allowing members to send the bill back to committee for further consideration.

Impact

The passage of HRES 122 and the subsequent consideration of H.R. 77 would primarily affect the legislative process surrounding regulatory disapproval. By enabling en bloc consideration of "midnight rules," Congress would streamline the process for rejecting multiple regulations at once, potentially increasing efficiency in legislative oversight of executive actions.

Procedural Timeline

February 10, 2025: HRES 122 was introduced and placed on the House Calendar.

February 11, 2025: The House debated the resolution, which was agreed to by a recorded vote of 216 to 205. The motion to reconsider was laid on the table without objection.

February 11, 2025: The resolution was considered as unfinished business, and the previous question was ordered, allowing for the final vote on the resolution.

Related Bills

H.R. 77: This is the companion bill that HRES 122 seeks to facilitate consideration for, focusing on the amendment of regulatory disapproval processes.

This summary provides an overview of HRES 122, outlining its purpose, key provisions, potential impacts, and procedural aspects, making it accessible for readers seeking to understand the implications of this legislative action.