Congress blocks CFPB's rollback of overdraft-fee protections
H.J.Res. 171 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Bulletin 2022-06: Unfair Returned Deposited Item Fee Assessment Practices". · Filed by Nikema Williams (D-GA) · Introduced Apr 30, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to block the CFPB's 2025 decision to withdraw its 2022 guidance on unfair overdraft fees. By disapproving the withdrawal, Congress restores the CFPB's original rule protecting consumers from excessive returned-deposit fees charged by banks.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole function is to restore a CFPB consumer-protection rule by disapproving the agency's own withdrawal of it. This is a straightforward Congressional Review Act disapproval with a restorative effect.
What the text implies
- Restoring Bulletin 2022-06 may increase compliance costs for banks and credit unions, potentially leading to higher account fees or reduced overdraft-line availability for marginal customers.
- The resolution does not address whether the CFPB can attempt to withdraw the rule again through a new rulemaking; it only blocks this specific withdrawal notice.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Restoring the CFPB's overdraft-fee guidance protects consumers from excessive bank charges on returned deposits. Banks lose discretion to assess unfair fees; ordinary account holders retain a regulatory safeguard against predatory overdraft practices.