§9655 Legislative veto of rule or regulation

Summary

When a federal department makes or reissues a rule under subchapter I, the department head must send a copy to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House at the same time. The rule cannot take effect if Congress acts to disapprove it. If both Houses pass a disapproval concurrent resolution within 90 calendar days of continuous session after the rule was sent, the rule is blocked. If one House passes such a resolution within 60 calendar days and sends it to the other House, and the other House does not vote to reject that resolution within 30 calendar days, the rule is also blocked. If no committee moves a disapproval and neither House has passed one by the end of 60 calendar days, the rule can take effect right away. If a committee did act or a House did pass a disapproval in those 60 days, the rule must wait at least 90 calendar days after it was issued before taking effect unless disapproved as above. A "continuous session" ends only when Congress adjourns sine die, and days when either House is out for more than three days for a scheduled adjournment do not count toward the 30, 60, or 90 day totals. If Congress does nothing, or rejects a disapproval resolution, that does not mean Congress approves the rule.