BLOCK Act

The BLOCK Act (Bureaucratic Limitation and Overreach Control Act) would establish a new congressional review process for federal agency rulemaking. Under this bill, federal agencies would be required to submit detailed reports about proposed rules to Congress before implementation. For major rules, defined as those expected to cost $50 million or more annually, Congress would need to pass a joint resolution approving the rule before it can take effect. The bill would require agencies to provide extensive documentation including cost-benefit analyses, potential job impacts, and statements of constitutional authority. The Government Accountability Office would have 15 days to review major rules, and Congress would have 30 session or legislative days to approve them. If enacted, this legislation would significantly expand congressional oversight of federal agency decisions and could slow the regulatory process by requiring legislative approval for costly rules. The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.