Overview
Title
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
S. 164 is a bill that wants to change rules so that Congress can reject a bunch of last-minute rules made by a President who's leaving, all at once, instead of one at a time.
Summary AI
S. 164 is a bill that seeks to amend chapter 8 of title 5 of the United States Code. The goal of the bill is to allow for en bloc, or grouped, consideration in resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules," which are regulations introduced at the end of a President's term. This amendment would enable Congress to disapprove multiple such rules in one joint resolution, simplifying the process. The bill is titled the “Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025” and was introduced in the Senate by Mr. Johnson along with several co-sponsors.
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025," aims to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to allow for the collective consideration and potential disapproval of multiple regulations known as "midnight rules." These "midnight rules" are regulations issued during the closing period of a President's term. This bill facilitates disapproval by enabling Congress to address these rules en bloc, meaning collectively in a single resolution, rather than one at a time.
Summary of Significant Issues
A prominent issue within this bill is the ambiguity surrounding the term "midnight rules." It is not explicitly defined, leading to potential confusion over which regulations qualify as such. Without a clear definition, the scope and application of this legislation could be disputed, impacting its effectiveness and legal interpretation.
Additionally, the format for drafting joint resolutions includes blank spaces, making it critical that these are filled correctly to avoid misinterpretation or misuse. Simplification and clarity are essential to ensure that the intended rules are appropriately addressed without error.
Moreover, the legal language used, such as "en bloc consideration" and other terminologies, may prove complex for those unfamiliar with legislative or bureaucratic processes. This could hinder public understanding and engagement with the legislation.
The bill also lacks discussion on its fiscal impact. Understanding how it may affect budgetary considerations or government spending is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of its potential effects.
Impact on the Public
The bill's broad impact primarily hinges on ensuring that regulations issued at the end of a presidential term are legitimately scrutinized and, if necessary, disapproved efficiently. This could ensure that hastily issued regulations do not bypass standard oversight mechanisms simply due to timing. However, the ambiguity around the definition and identification of "midnight rules" could lead to contested classifications, affecting various public interest areas depending on which regulations are targeted under this legislation.
Impact on Stakeholders
Government Institutions: The bill might streamline operations within Congress by allowing for faster processing of disapproval resolutions. It could enable regulatory oversight to be exercised more efficiently concerning the significant volume of rules often issued during a transition period between administrations.
Regulatory Agencies: There may be concerns regarding the stability and predictability of rulemaking, as rules established late in an administration could face heightened scrutiny or disapproval under a streamlined block voting process.
Legal Practitioners: The complexity presented by the bill's language may increase the demand for specialized legal interpretation and advisory services, as stakeholders navigate its implications.
The General Public: For the public, the benefit lies in maintaining a check on last-minute regulatory actions, potentially preventing the quick enactment of rules that could have economic, environmental, or social impacts if not thoroughly vetted. However, the understanding of this bill's processes remains crucial for informed civic engagement and advocacy.
In conclusion, while the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025 aims to address potentially rushed regulatory action at the end of a presidential term, it raises fundamental questions about clarity, legal interpretation, and potential impacts on various governmental processes and stakeholders.
Issues
The term 'midnight rules' is not explicitly defined in Section 2, creating potential ambiguity in the interpretation and application of the amendment. This might have significant political and legal ramifications, as the scope of such rules could be contested.
The joint resolution format in Section 2 uses blank spaces ('the rule submitted by the __ relating to __') which lacks specificity and might lead to interpretative challenges or misuse, requiring careful legislative drafting to avoid such pitfalls.
The legal jargon used in Section 2, especially terms like 'en bloc consideration' and the phrase structure after 'resolving clause,' presents complexity that might hinder understanding among the general public and stakeholders unfamiliar with such language.
Section 2 does not address fiscal implications, leaving unclear how the amendment might impact budgetary considerations or spending, which could be crucial for assessing its overall financial impact.
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.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section states that the official title of the legislation is the "Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025."
2. En bloc consideration of resolutions of disapproval pertaining to midnight rules Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text describes amendments to U.S. Code Title 5, allowing Congress to disapprove multiple "midnight rules" (regulations enacted late in a President’s term) in a single resolution. It outlines how these joint resolutions should be formatted and specifies that any disapproved rules will have no force or effect.