Overview
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.
ELI5 AI
This resolution is like setting some rules to talk about a special kind of task called "midnight rules," which are last-minute changes by people in charge before they leave. It helps everyone in the house have a fair chance to discuss these changes without fighting over tiny details.
Summary AI
H. RES. 122 is a resolution discussed in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 10, 2025. It allows for the consideration of the bill H.R. 77, which aims to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code. The purpose is to enable en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules," which are regulations introduced in the final days of an outgoing administration. The resolution waives any points of order against both the bill's consideration and its provisions, and it outlines the debate structure, including one hour of debate and the possibility of one motion to recommit.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The resolution, H. RES. 122, is a procedural document allowing the U.S. House of Representatives to consider a specific bill, H.R. 77. This bill proposes amendments to chapter 8 of title 5 in the United States Code. The focal point of the bill is the introduction of a system for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for what are often referred to as "midnight rules." These "midnight rules" typically refer to regulations issued by an outgoing administration during the transition period to a new president, usually seen as the final weeks or days in office. The bill will be considered under conditions that waive typical procedural objections, limit the debate on the bill to one hour, and allow a single opportunity to recommit the bill with potential changes.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from this resolution:
Complex Language: The procedural language used in the resolution is intricate and specialized, making it challenging for those not familiar with legislative terminology to fully understand the implications.
Ambiguity Around 'Midnight Rules': The resolution and bill do not explicitly define "midnight rules," leading to potential confusion or varying interpretations among stakeholders and the public.
Waiver of Points of Order: The resolution waives all points of order against both the consideration of the bill and its provisions, which could limit critical scrutiny and debate on potentially contentious elements of the bill.
Lack of Financial Clarity: The resolution outlines procedural changes but fails to address any financial implications, creating uncertainty about its impact on government spending or budgets.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this resolution might seem distant and procedural, with its immediate effects not plainly visible. However, the underlying bill it seeks to advance could have significant implications. By altering the process for disapproving last-minute regulations, it could potentially change the speed and efficiency with which new administrations address the regulations set forth by their predecessors. This could affect how quickly certain policies are implemented or repealed, impacting sectors like environmental regulation, healthcare, or financial services, which often see large rule changes at the end of presidential terms.
Impact on Stakeholders
Positive Impact: - Policymakers and Administration Officials: Streamlining the process for handling these last-minute rules may be seen positively by those who favor swift action when transitioning between administrations. - Businesses and Industries: Companies, especially those in industries that are heavily regulated, might find benefit in the quicker resolution of regulatory uncertainties.
Negative Impact: - Advocacy Groups: Groups concerned about specific regulatory protections might view this as a negative development, fearing that important regulatory safeguards could be rolled back too swiftly without ample opportunity for public input or debate. - Government Oversight and Scrutiny: The waiver of procedural safeguards could limit the necessary oversight, potentially allowing poorly vetted regulatory changes to proceed unchecked.
In conclusion, while the resolution itself is procedural, it facilitates the consideration of a bill that could materially affect how and whether certain federal regulations are enacted or repealed, impacting various facets of public and private sector operations.
Issues
The resolution uses complex and procedural language which can be difficult for the general public to understand, potentially obscuring the actual implications of the legislative changes being proposed. [Section 1]
There is a lack of clarity around the term 'midnight rules' in the resolution, which could lead to confusion or varying interpretations without a formal definition or context provided within the bill or accompanying documents. [Section 2]
The resolution includes a waiver of all points of order against consideration and provisions in the bill, which might bypass thorough scrutiny and necessary debate on specific controversial or critical components of the bill. [Section 4]
The resolution primarily outlines procedural changes and does not clearly address financial implications, leading to ambiguity regarding its potential impact on government spending or budget considerations. [Section 3]
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The resolution allows the House to consider a bill, H.R. 77, which aims to change the process for reviewing certain last-minute regulations. It sets rules for the consideration, including waiving objections, limiting debate to one hour, and allowing one chance to send the bill back for changes.