WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has reintroduced the Bureaucratic Limitation and Overreach Control (BLOCK) Act, a legislative effort aimed at strengthening Congressional oversight of federal agency rulemaking and limiting the expansion of regulatory burdens on businesses and individuals.
The bill, which Kennedy describes as a critical step in curbing unchecked bureaucratic rulemaking, seeks to lower the economic impact threshold of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) for major regulations from $100 million to $50 million per year. Under this provision, any rule exceeding the new threshold would require Congressional approval before taking effect.
“Bureaucratic rulemaking has run rampant and is burdening Americans with too many costly regulations,” said Kennedy. “My BLOCK Act would make sure that Congress keeps the administrative state in check.”
Key Provisions of the BLOCK Act
- Congressional Approval for Major Rules
- Any regulation with an estimated economic impact of $50 million or more per year must be approved through a joint resolution of Congress before implementation.
- The Comptroller General will determine if a rule meets the threshold for Congressional review.
- Presidential Exemptions for National Security and Disaster Response
- The President may authorize a rule to take immediate effect if it is deemed critical for national security or disaster response.
- However, Congress must still approve the rule within 15 legislative session days for it to remain in effect.
- Review of Existing Regulations
- Within six months of the bill’s enactment, every federal agency must submit 20% of its existing major rules for Congressional review.
- The process continues annually until all major regulations are reviewed within five years.
- Any regulation failing to gain approval within its review period will be invalidated.
- Treatment of Minor Rules
- Regulations with an economic impact of less than $50 million may take effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register.
- Congress retains the right to reverse minor rules through a joint resolution of disapproval under the CRA.
Impact on Businesses and Regulatory Oversight
The BLOCK Act is part of a broader Republican effort to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and prevent what lawmakers see as overreach by federal agencies. By requiring Congressional oversight of major rules, Kennedy’s bill would increase transparency, limit executive agency authority, and provide businesses with greater regulatory certainty.
Supporters of the bill argue that excessive regulations hinder economic growth by increasing compliance costs and bureaucratic red tape, especially for small businesses and industries heavily impacted by federal oversight. Critics, however, warn that requiring Congressional approval for regulations could lead to gridlock and delays in implementing necessary consumer, environmental, and financial protections.
If enacted, the BLOCK Act would represent a fundamental shift in federal rulemaking, placing significant new constraints on agencies’ ability to implement regulations without direct Congressional approval.
For continued updates on the BLOCK Act and other regulatory developments, visit www.kennedy.senate.gov.