Skip to main content
H.R. 21 115th Congress House

Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017

Official 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.

Introduced: January 3, 2017 Introduced by: Darrell Issa Republican · California See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightLegislative rules and procedurePresidential administrationsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sign in to write a letter

Free account. One morning email at most, only on days something moved. Already have one? Sign in.

This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 5, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jan 4, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 4, 2017
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 - 184 (Roll no. 8). (text: CR H74)
Jan 4, 2017
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 183 - 236 (Roll no. 7).
Jan 4, 2017
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H86-87)
Jan 4, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Castor (FL) motion to recommit, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Castor (FL) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the motion to recommit until a time to be announced.
Jan 4, 2017
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Jan 4, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor (FL) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add at the end of the bill a section 3 pertaining to exception for certain rules that prohibit discrimination by insurance issuers on the basis of gender or preexisting condition or that make healthcare more affordable for working Americans.
Jan 4, 2017
Ms. Castor (FL) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H84)
Jan 4, 2017
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jan 4, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 21.
Jan 4, 2017
The rule provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit.
Jan 4, 2017
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 5. (consideration: CR H74-86)
Jan 3, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Jan 3, 2017
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 3, 2017
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jan 4, 2017 House · vote #8 On Passage Passed 238–184 See who voted →
Jan 4, 2017 House · vote #7 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 183–236 See who voted →
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action January 5, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Congressional Review Act to allow Congress to consider a joint resolution to disapprove multiple regulations that federal agencies have submitted for congressional review within the last 60 legislative days of a session of Congress during the final year of a President's term. Congress may disapprove a group of such regulations together (i.e., "en bloc") instead of the current procedure of considering only one regulation at a time.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 34 Identical bill Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017
  • HRES 5 Adopting rules for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress.
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Republican 4
Collins, Doug
· Jan 3, 2017
GOODLATTE, ROBERT
· Jan 3, 2017
Gowdy, Trey
· Jan 3, 2017
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Jan 3, 2017
 R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Jan 3, 2017
Jenkins, Evan
· Jan 3, 2017
 R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · Jan 3, 2017
Marino, Tom
· Jan 3, 2017
Ratcliffe, John
· Jan 3, 2017
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Jan 3, 2017
SMITH, LAMAR
· Jan 3, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 21: Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-21/
MLA
"H.R. 21: Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-21/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 21, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-21/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 21: Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-21/)
Report a problem