Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Definition of 'Employer'-Association Health Plans".
Latest Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 715.
Official Summary
Official summary has not been imported yet.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™This House Joint Resolution (HJRES 181) from the 118th Congress proposes congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule concerning the definition of 'Employer' in relation to Association Health Plans. The resolution seeks to nullify the rule under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, which governs congressional review of federal regulations. The rule in question pertains to how employers are defined for the purpose of Association Health Plans, which are group health plans established by associations of employers. The resolution was placed on the Union Calendar but ultimately failed or expired without passage. No full text or official summary of the bill is available, limiting detailed analysis.
HJRES 181 aimed to reject a Department of Labor rule defining 'Employer' for Association Health Plans but did not pass before expiring.
- The resolution targets a Department of Labor rule on the definition of 'Employer' related to Association Health Plans.
- It uses the congressional disapproval mechanism under chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code, allowing Congress to nullify federal regulations.
- The resolution was placed on the Union Calendar but failed or expired without enactment.
['Employers participating in or affected by Association Health Plans', 'Department of Labor, as the agency responsible for the rule', 'Associations that sponsor health plans for their employer members']
['Lack of detailed bill text and official summary limits understanding of specific provisions and impacts.', 'Failure or expiration of the resolution means the Department of Labor rule remains in effect, potentially affecting regulatory certainty.', 'Use of the congressional disapproval process can raise questions about the balance of regulatory authority between Congress and federal agencies.']
This resolution was introduced in the House during the 118th Congress as part of oversight and legislative review of federal agency rulemaking. It reflects the use of the Congressional Review Act process to challenge administrative rules. The resolution did not advance to passage and was placed on the Union Calendar before expiring.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
["Maintaining the Department of Labor's definition of 'Employer' could influence the structure and availability of Association Health Plans.", 'Employers and associations may continue to operate under existing regulatory definitions, affecting health insurance markets and coverage options.', 'Congressional disapproval attempts may signal ongoing legislative scrutiny of agency rulemaking in labor and employment policy.']
The absence of a full bill text and official summary limits comprehensive transparency and public understanding of the resolution's specific provisions and implications. The use of the Congressional Review Act process is a significant oversight tool but requires clear documentation to assess impacts fully. The resolution's failure to pass leaves the Department of Labor rule intact, underscoring the importance of tracking such disapproval efforts for government accountability.
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