Became Public Law No: 119-19.
This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to overturn a federal agency rule. It declares that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency rule on review of Bank Merger Act applications has no force or effect. If enacted, the CRA also stops the agency from issuing a substantially similar rule unless Congress passes new legislation allowing it.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency rule titled "Business Combinations Under the Bank Merger Act" (89 Fed. Reg. 78207, Sept. 25, 2024).
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
Under the Congressional Review Act, disapproval resolutions are considered under expedited procedures in the Senate and are not subject to a filibuster; they need a simple majority in both chambers. A joint resolution must be presented to the President for signature or veto to take effect.
This joint resolution, enacted under the Congressional Review Act, disapproves and nullifies the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency rule titled “Business Combinations Under the Bank Merger Act” (89 Fed.
Reg. 78207, Sept. 25, 2024).
The resolution states the rule "shall have no force or effect." It operates as a statutory congressional disapproval of that specific OCC rule.
Narrow, non‑fiscal regulatory rollback increases odds, but contentious banking interests and need for bipartisan support keep outcome uncertain.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that clearly identifies the rule to be nullified and invokes the appropriate statutory mechanism. It contains the minimal, legally precise language necessary to remove the rule's force.
Progressive fears politicization and potential loss of consumer protections
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressive fears politicization and potential loss of consumer protections
Likely skeptical of using the CRA to override technical banking rules and concerned about politicizing supervision.
If the OCC rule strengthened merger review or consumer protections, this persona would oppose disapproval; if the rule weakened protections, they might reluctantly support it.
Overall they tend to prefer regulatory tools that protect competition and consumers.
Focused on process and evidence; will judge the resolution by the OCC rule’s stated effects and the quality of the agency’s analysis.
Centrist view is mixed: support if the rule lacks justification or harms financial stability, oppose if the rule was a reasoned improvement.
Seeks measured oversight and clearer cost-benefit analysis.
Likely supportive, viewing congressional disapproval as a check on regulatory overreach and as protection against new burdens on banks.
This persona emphasizes reduced regulatory costs and clearer rule of law.
Support is conditional on believing the OCC rule imposed additional constraints on mergers or expanded agency power.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Narrow, non‑fiscal regulatory rollback increases odds, but contentious banking interests and need for bipartisan support keep outcome uncertain.
The House passed this bill. It now goes to the other chamber, and eventually to the President for signature.
The final vote on whether the bill becomes law (pending the other chamber and the President).
The Senate formally adopted this resolution.
A resolution is a formal statement or decision by the chamber. Simple resolutions apply only to one chamber; joint resolutions require both chambers.
The Senate agreed to bring this bill to the floor. Debate and amendment votes can now begin.
Progressive fears politicization and potential loss of consumer protections
Narrow, non‑fiscal regulatory rollback increases odds, but contentious banking interests and need for bipartisan support keep outcome uncer…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that clearly identifies the rule to be nullified and invokes the appropriate statutory mechanism. It cont…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.