WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 77 · 119th Congress

Midnight Rules Relief Act

Passed HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 12, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Feb 13, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The House passed it 212–208. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 77 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Feb 13, 2025).

5 U.S.C. 801 Congressional review

  • (d) (1) In addition to the opportunity for review otherwise provided under this… added to · Sec. 2(a) · see the words

5 U.S.C. 802 Congressional disapproval procedure

  • (a) For purposes of this section, the term "joint resolution" means only a joint… added to · Sec. 2(b) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 5 U.S.C. 801(d)added (4)by H.R. 77 Sec. 2(a)

    (4) In applying section 802 to rules described under paragraph (1), a joint resolution of disapproval may contain one or more such rules if the report under subsection (a)(1)(A) for each such rule was submitted during the final year of a President’s term.

    The bill says: Section 801(d) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (5 U.S.C. 801)

  2. 5 U.S.C. 802(a)addedby H.R. 77 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: by inserting after "resolving clause of which is" the following: "(except as otherwise provided in this subsection)"; and

    Bill text · Current law (5 U.S.C. 802)

  3. 5 U.S.C. 802(a)addedby H.R. 77 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following: "In the case of a joint resolution under section 801(d)(4), the matter after the resolving clause of such resolution shall be as follows: "That Congress disapproves the following rules: the rule submitted by the __ relating to __; and the rule submitted by the __ relating to __. Such rules shall have no force or effect." (The blank spaces being appropriately filled in and additional clauses describing additional rules to be included as necessary).".

    Bill text · Current law (5 U.S.C. 802)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Midnight Rules Relief Act

This bill allows Congress to disapprove multiple regulations under one joint resolution of disapproval if the regulations were submitted for review during a portion of the final year of a President's term.

Under current law, the Congressional Review Act generally provides for a period of additional review during the succeeding Congress for regulations that were submitted during the last 60 legislative days of the prior Congress. However, each joint resolution may disapprove of only one regulation.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Feb 13, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
  2. Feb 12, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Feb 12, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 208 (Roll no. 41). (text: CR H654) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Feb 12, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 208 (Roll no. 41). (text: CR H654) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Feb 12, 2025On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 213 (Roll no. 40). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  6. Feb 12, 2025The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
  7. Feb 12, 2025Ms. Jacobs moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H662)House floor actions
  8. Feb 12, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  9. Feb 12, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 77.House floor actions
  10. Feb 12, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 77 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit allowed. Bill is closed to amendments.House floor actions
  11. Feb 12, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 122. (consideration: CR H654-663)House floor actions
  12. Feb 11, 2025Rule H. Res. 122 passed House.House floor actions
  13. Feb 10, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 122 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 77 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit allowed. Bill is closed to amendments.House floor actions
  14. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Rules.House floor actions
  15. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Rules.House floor actions
  16. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  17. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Feb 12, 2025 · HousePassed 212–208
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 211 yes, 1 noD 1 yes, 207 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Feb 12, 2025 · HouseFailed 205–213
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 213 noD 205 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Josh Brecheen R-OK-2
  • Brandon Gill R-TX-26
  • Craig A. Goldman R-TX-12
  • Glenn Grothman R-WI-6
  • Harriet M. Hageman R-WY-At Large
  • Mike Haridopolos R-FL-8
  • Jeff Hurd R-CO-3
  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa R-CA-1
  • Richard McCormick R-GA-7
  • James C. Moylan R-GU-At Large
  • Andrew Ogles R-TN-5
  • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2