The BLOCK Act requires congressional approval for major federal regulations expected to cost at least $50 million annually in compliance costs. Under the bill, federal agencies must submit detailed reports on proposed major rules to Congress, including cost-benefit analyses and other economic information, and these rules cannot take effect unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving them within 30 legislative days. For smaller "nonmajor" rules, Congress has 60 days to pass a joint resolution disapproving them, and if no disapproval passes, the rules take effect automatically. The legislation also requires federal agencies to periodically review their existing regulations, designating at least 20 percent annually for congressional review over a five-year period, with older rules expiring unless Congress approves them. The bill would significantly expand congressional control over agency rulemaking and could slow the regulatory process substantially, as it requires expedited congressional consideration of major rules before they can be implemented.
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