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BLOCK Act

USA119th CongressS-368| Senate 
| Updated: 2/3/2025
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Bureaucratic Limitation and Overreach Control Act," or BLOCK Act, significantly revises the process by which federal agency rules are implemented, aiming to enhance congressional oversight. It establishes a new framework for the review and approval of agency regulations, particularly those designated as "major rules." Under this Act, a "major rule" is defined as any rule that the Comptroller General determines is likely to result in an annual cost of compliance of $50,000,000 or more. Such major rules are prohibited from taking effect unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval. Before any rule can be implemented, agencies must submit comprehensive reports to Congress and the Comptroller General, including detailed cost-benefit analyses and assessments of economic effects. For "nonmajor rules," which do not meet the $50 million cost threshold, they can take effect unless Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval. The bill outlines specific, expedited procedures for both the House and Senate to consider these joint resolutions within defined timeframes. While a major rule may temporarily take effect for national security or disaster response, this does not circumvent the ultimate requirement for congressional approval. Furthermore, the BLOCK Act introduces a critical provision for reviewing rules already in effect. Agencies are mandated to annually designate at least 20% of their existing "eligible rules" for congressional review over a five-year period. If Congress does not approve these designated existing rules within 90 days of their designation, they will cease to be in effect after five years from the bill's enactment. The legislation also exempts rules concerning monetary policy from these new requirements and limits judicial review to procedural compliance, not the substance of congressional determinations.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5425
BLOCK Act
Jan 31, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-847
Introduced in House
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5425
    BLOCK Act


  • January 31, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-847
    Introduced in House


  • February 3, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 3, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • S 119-809: Saving Privacy Act
  • HR 119-2155: Saving Privacy Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsBudget deficits and national debtBusiness investment and capitalCompetition and antitrustCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsCongressional-executive branch relationsCongressional oversightEconomic performance and conditionsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIndustrial policy and productivityInflation and pricesJudicial review and appealsLegislative rules and procedureMonetary policyUnemployment

BLOCK Act

USA119th CongressS-368| Senate 
| Updated: 2/3/2025
The "Bureaucratic Limitation and Overreach Control Act," or BLOCK Act, significantly revises the process by which federal agency rules are implemented, aiming to enhance congressional oversight. It establishes a new framework for the review and approval of agency regulations, particularly those designated as "major rules." Under this Act, a "major rule" is defined as any rule that the Comptroller General determines is likely to result in an annual cost of compliance of $50,000,000 or more. Such major rules are prohibited from taking effect unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval. Before any rule can be implemented, agencies must submit comprehensive reports to Congress and the Comptroller General, including detailed cost-benefit analyses and assessments of economic effects. For "nonmajor rules," which do not meet the $50 million cost threshold, they can take effect unless Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval. The bill outlines specific, expedited procedures for both the House and Senate to consider these joint resolutions within defined timeframes. While a major rule may temporarily take effect for national security or disaster response, this does not circumvent the ultimate requirement for congressional approval. Furthermore, the BLOCK Act introduces a critical provision for reviewing rules already in effect. Agencies are mandated to annually designate at least 20% of their existing "eligible rules" for congressional review over a five-year period. If Congress does not approve these designated existing rules within 90 days of their designation, they will cease to be in effect after five years from the bill's enactment. The legislation also exempts rules concerning monetary policy from these new requirements and limits judicial review to procedural compliance, not the substance of congressional determinations.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5425
BLOCK Act
Jan 31, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-847
Introduced in House
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5425
    BLOCK Act


  • January 31, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-847
    Introduced in House


  • February 3, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 3, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • S 119-809: Saving Privacy Act
  • HR 119-2155: Saving Privacy Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsBudget deficits and national debtBusiness investment and capitalCompetition and antitrustCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsCongressional-executive branch relationsCongressional oversightEconomic performance and conditionsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIndustrial policy and productivityInflation and pricesJudicial review and appealsLegislative rules and procedureMonetary policyUnemployment