Congressional Review Act
Short Definition
The Congressional Review Act is a law that lets Congress review and potentially overturn recently issued federal agency rules through a joint resolution of disapproval.
Long Explanation
The Congressional Review Act, often called the CRA, is a federal law that requires agencies to submit covered rules to Congress and gives Congress a limited window to consider a joint resolution disapproving a rule. If Congress passes the resolution and the President signs it, or Congress overrides a veto, the rule is invalidated and the agency is limited in issuing a substantially similar rule without new legal authority. The CRA is a political check on agency rulemaking.
In practice, Congressional Review Act is useful because it helps a visitor connect a word or phrase to law making, committee work, oversight, votes, or congressional records. When you see the term in an official source, ask which office has authority, what decision is being made, which deadline or rule matters, and where the public record can be checked.
Examples
Common Misconception
A common mistake is treating Congressional Review Act as a complete explanation of what Congress did. The term is usually a starting point. To know what happened, check the bill text, committee action, chamber record, and vote information where available.
Related Terms
CongressRulemakingFederal LawOversight
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