Congress·In Progress·S.J.Res. 82

Health Department Rules: Congress Votes to Block New Agency Procedures

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act".

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

Congress is using a special power to try to cancel a rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This rule changed the internal steps the agency must take before it can issue new health or safety regulations.
The targeted rule focuses on how the agency follows the Administrative Procedure Act. This is the main law that tells government agencies how they must listen to the public and follow legal steps before changing federal policies.
If this resolution passes, the HHS rule would be voided immediately. It would also prevent the agency from ever making a similar rule again, effectively locking in the previous way of doing things.
A government watchdog group recently determined that this HHS policy was a formal regulation, which gave Congress the legal opening to step in and vote to strike it down.
This action is part of a larger debate over how much power federal agencies should have to set their own internal procedures versus following specific directions from lawmakers in Congress.

Milestones

3 milestones9 actions

Dec 18, 2025Senate

Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 50. Record Vote Number: 654.

Dec 18, 2025

Failed of passage/not agreed to in Senate: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 50. Record Vote Number: 654.

Dec 18, 2025Senate

Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S8888)

Dec 10, 2025Senate

Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8591-8593)

Dec 10, 2025Senate

Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 641. (CR S8591)

Vote Results

2 votes

SenatePassedProceduralDec 10, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

Democrat

45 – 0

Republican

3 – 49 · 1

Independent

2 – 0

View full roll call

SenateJoint Resolution DefeatedDec 18, 2025

On the Joint Resolution

Democrat

45 – 0

Republican

3 – 50

Independent

2 – 0

View full roll call

Related Bills

1 bill

H.J.Res. 125Related bill

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act".

Sep 18 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.