Summary of HRES 426

Bill Number: HRES 426

Introduced: May 19, 2025

Status: Motion to reconsider laid on the table; Agreed to without objection.

Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HRES 426 is a resolution that facilitates the consideration of two joint resolutions (S.J. Res. 13 and S.J. Res. 31) aimed at disapproving specific rules submitted by federal agencies. The primary intent is to provide Congress with a mechanism to reject regulatory changes made by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are perceived to be unfavorable or unnecessary.

Key Provisions

1. Consideration of Joint Resolutions:

   • S.J. Res. 13: This resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a rule from the OCC regarding the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act.
   • S.J. Res. 31: This resolution aims to disapprove a rule from the EPA concerning the reclassification of major sources as area sources under the Clean Air Act.

2. Closed Rule:

   • Both joint resolutions will be considered under a closed rule, meaning no amendments can be made during the debate.

3. Debate and Voting:

   • Each joint resolution will have one hour of general debate, equally divided between the chair and ranking minority member of the respective committees (Financial Services for S.J. Res. 13 and Energy and Commerce for S.J. Res. 31).
   • The resolutions will be considered as read, and all points of order against their consideration are waived.

4. Motion to Commit:

   • There will be one motion to commit for each joint resolution, allowing for a procedural option to send the resolution back to committee.

5. Waiver of Clause 6(a):

   • The resolution waives the requirement for a two-thirds vote to consider certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules on the same day they are presented, specifically for measures related to reconciliation.

Impact

• Affected Parties:

  • The resolutions primarily affect the regulatory authority of the OCC and EPA, potentially altering how bank mergers are reviewed and how air quality regulations are enforced.
  • Financial institutions and environmental stakeholders may be directly impacted by the outcomes of these disapprovals.

• Procedural Aspects:

  • The resolution was reported by the House Committee on Rules with a vote of 7 to 3 and was subsequently agreed to by the House with a recorded vote of 210 to 208.
  • The motion to reconsider was laid on the table, indicating that the House will not revisit the decision immediately.

Legislative Actions

• May 19, 2025: Placed on the House Calendar.
• May 20, 2025: Debated and passed in the House; motion to reconsider laid on the table.

Related Bills

• S.J. Res. 13: Joint resolution concerning the OCC rule on bank mergers.
• S.J. Res. 31: Joint resolution concerning the EPA rule on air quality reclassification.

This summary provides an overview of HRES 426, detailing its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on regulatory practices and stakeholders.