119-HJRES-160 Journalist Public Summary
A new House resolution would overturn the CFPB’s 2025 rule that withdrew several guidance documents—including a 2024 circular warning companies not to use broad nondisclosure agreements that chill whistleblowing—so that withdrawal would have no force or effect and the whistleblower guidance would remain in place. (govinfo.gov)
Public Summary of H.J.Res. 160 (119th Congress)
Headline Summary: A House resolution seeks to undo the CFPB’s 2025 withdrawal of its whistleblower-protection circular, effectively keeping that guidance in force. (govinfo.gov)
What It Does: This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s May 12, 2025 “Withdrawal of Bureau guidance” as it pertains to Circular 2024-04 on whistleblower protections under the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) §1057. If enacted, the disapproved withdrawal would have no force or effect, which in practice would leave the 2024 whistleblower circular in place. The circular warned that overly broad confidentiality or nondisclosure agreements could unlawfully deter employees from reporting potential consumer‑finance law violations. (govinfo.gov)
Why It Matters: For workers at banks, lenders, and fintechs, this is about whether federal guidance clearly protects them when they speak up; for companies, it affects compliance expectations around employment agreements and whistleblower rights. Under the CRA, once Congress voids a rule, agencies are barred from issuing a new rule that is “substantially the same” without new legislation—raising the stakes for how CFPB guidance is set or withdrawn. (law.cornell.edu)
- Who’s For It: Sponsor Rep. Al Green (D‑TX). The resolution was introduced on April 30, 2026, and sent to the House Financial Services Committee. (govinfo.gov)
- Who’s For It: Consumer advocacy groups criticized the 2025 CFPB guidance withdrawal and highlighted the continuing importance of the withdrawn documents—signaling support for efforts to keep or restore such guidance. (library.nclc.org)
- Who’s Against It: Financial industry groups that praised the 2025 withdrawals (e.g., ICBA and the Defense Credit Union Council) argued the CFPB should rely less on nonbinding guidance, suggesting likely opposition to reinstating the circular. (icba.org)
What’s Next: As of April 30, 2026, the resolution sits in the House Financial Services Committee. To take effect, it must pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President (or enacted over a veto) under CRA procedures. (govinfo.gov)
Discussion