US Federal Senate Bill SJR13

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Engrossed: 5/9/25
• Enrolled: 6/10/25
• Passed: 6/20/25
• Chaptered: 6/20/25

Caption

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury relating to the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act.

Summary

SJR13 is a congressional disapproval resolution under the Congressional Review Act that nullifies an Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) rule titled "Business Combinations Under the Bank Merger Act." The resolution states that the OCC rule relating to the review of bank merger applications shall have no force or effect. In practical terms, the bill overturns the federal agency rule and prevents it from governing how bank merger applications are evaluated. Because this is a joint resolution of disapproval, it does not create a new regulatory framework; instead, it removes an existing one. The measure targets the OCC’s September 25, 2024 rule and restores the legal status quo ante for bank merger review under the Bank Merger Act, leaving future merger review standards to existing law, other agency guidance, or any later rulemaking. Its effect is on federal banking regulation and the institutions, applicants, and regulators involved in bank mergers and acquisitions.

Impact

The resolution directly affects federal banking law by voiding the OCC’s rule on bank merger application review. It changes the regulatory environment for banks, bank holding companies, and other institutions seeking approval for mergers or acquisitions, as well as for the OCC and other federal banking regulators that may review such transactions. No state statutes are amended, but the bill has significant implications for the national banking and financial services sector because it removes a federal rule that would have governed merger review standards.

Sentiment

The voting history suggests the bill was politically divisive but ultimately successful. It passed the Senate and House by narrow margins, indicating substantial support from lawmakers who favored blocking the OCC rule and substantial opposition from those who supported the rule or objected to using the Congressional Review Act in this context. The final enactment into law shows that proponents prevailed, but the close votes reflect a contentious debate.

Contention

The main point of contention was whether the OCC should retain its rule setting standards for reviewing bank merger applications under the Bank Merger Act. Supporters of disapproval likely viewed the rule as an overreach or an unnecessary tightening of merger review, while opponents likely saw it as an important supervisory tool for banking competition, safety, and soundness. The narrow Senate and House votes indicate disagreement both over the substance of bank merger oversight and over Congress’s use of the Congressional Review Act to overturn an agency rule after promulgation.