Congress moves to restore debt-collection protections withdrawn by CFPB
S.J.Res. 162 — A joint resolution 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 2015-07 re: in-person collection of consumer debt". · Filed by John Hickenlooper (D-CO) · Introduced Apr 13, 2026 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This resolution disapproves a CFPB rule that withdrew consumer-debt collection protections from 2015. By voiding the withdrawal, the resolution restores those protections—meaning debt collectors must again comply with the original 2015 bulletin's limits on in-person collection tactics. Consumers regain safeguards against aggressive collection practices.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is a Congressional Review Act disapproval that restores withdrawn consumer protections. It is a procedural instrument aimed at reversing a regulatory retreat, not a substantive policy innovation.
What the text implies
- Restoring Bulletin 2015-07 may increase compliance costs for debt-collection agencies and third-party collectors, potentially raising collection-service fees or reducing collection volume.
- The resolution does not address whether the CFPB's original 2015 bulletin itself remains valid or whether it requires re-promulgation; implementation may depend on CFPB action.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Restoring the 2015 bulletin reinstates consumer protections against aggressive in-person debt-collection practices, directly benefiting consumers facing collection activity. The bill constrains debt collectors' conduct, not citizens' rights.