Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Trade Commission relating to "Premerger Notification; Reporting and Waiting Period Requirements".
This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code) to disapprove the Federal Trade Commission’s rule on “Premerger Notification; Reporting and Waiting Period Requirements.” The rule in question was published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 89216). If Congress passes this joint resolution and it becomes law (potentially subject to presidential signature or veto override), the rule would have no force or effect and would be treated as if it had never been issued. In effect, the underlying premerger notification framework would remain governed by the existing statutes and any prior FTC regulations, without the changes proposed in the 2024 rule. The measure was introduced in February 2025 by Rep. Fitzgerald (along with Reps. Gooden and Cline) and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It signals Congress’s disapproval of the FTC’s rule and would halt its implementation if enacted.
Key Points
- 1The bill uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove a specific FTC rule.
- 2Targeted rule: “Premerger Notification; Reporting and Waiting Period Requirements,” published November 12, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 89216).
- 3If enacted, the rule shall have no force or effect, effectively nullifying it.
- 4The action does not repeal the underlying Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act or existing premerger notification requirements; it only blocks the 2024 rule’s changes.
- 5Enactment depends on passage by both houses and either presidential signature or a veto override; otherwise, the rule could take effect if not disapproved.