Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025
Summary
The Midnight Rules Relief Act (S.164) allows Congress to disapprove multiple regulations from the final year of a President's term in a single joint resolution, streamlining the Congressional Review Act process. The bill was reported favorably out of committee on August 6, 2026, but has no direct spending or sector-specific provisions. Its impact on markets is indirect and contingent on future regulatory actions.
See which stocks are affected
Key takeaways, market implications, full AI analysis, and connected signals are available to HillSignal members.
Already have an account? Log in
Key Takeaways
- 1.S.164 enables en bloc disapproval of midnight rules, streamlining regulatory rollback.
- 2.No direct spending or sector targeting; impact is procedural and indirect.
- 3.Passage would be a tailwind for deregulation-sensitive industries but depends on future legislative action.
Market Implications
The bill has no immediate market implications. If enacted, it could increase the likelihood of regulatory rollback in the next Congress, benefiting industries with high regulatory exposure. However, without specific regulations targeted, the effect is diffuse and long-term. No tickers are directly affected.
Full Analysis
The Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025 (S.164) amends the Congressional Review Act to permit en bloc disapproval of regulations submitted during the final year of a President's term. Currently, each joint resolution can only disapprove one regulation. This bill would allow Congress to bundle multiple 'midnight rules' into a single disapproval resolution, increasing legislative efficiency in overturning last-minute regulations. The bill was introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) on January 21, 2025, and ordered to be reported favorably without amendment by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on August 6, 2026. It awaits floor action in the Senate. A companion bill, HR77, exists in the House.
There is no funding authorized or appropriated in this bill. The mechanism is purely procedural: it changes how Congress can disapprove regulations. The money trail is indirect—if the bill passes, it could enable faster rollback of regulations that impose compliance costs on businesses. However, no specific regulations are targeted, and the impact depends entirely on which rules are disapproved in the future.
Structural winners would be industries heavily affected by federal regulations, such as energy, manufacturing, finance, and healthcare, as they could see reduced compliance burdens if Congress uses this tool to overturn rules. However, the bill does not name any specific sector or company. Losers would be entities that benefit from the regulatory status quo, such as environmental groups or regulated industries that prefer stable rules.
The timeline: the bill must pass the Senate and House and be signed by the President. Given its partisan sponsorship (all Republicans) and the current divided government, passage is uncertain. The bill's momentum is moderate—it cleared committee but has not been scheduled for floor debate.
Key Legislators
Connected Signals
Matched on shared policy language across AI analyses, with ticker & timing weight
Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2025
A bill to amend chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, United States Code, to authorize an increase of the retirement age for members of the Capitol Police.
Prove It Act
Direct Hire To Fight Fires
Regulation Decimation Act
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6444 San Fernando Road in Glendale, California, as the "Paul Ignatius Post Office".
Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act
Guidance Clarity Act of 2025
Free — no credit card
Get the next market-moving signal before the news does
HillSignal scores every Congressional bill, federal contract, and insider filing for market impact and emails you the high-conviction ones — free, no credit card.
Weekly digest — the congressional activity that actually moved markets that week, in plain English. Free, one email.
Free forever plan · No credit card · Unsubscribe in one click
Want the live terminal too? Create a free account →