The President Signed into Law S.J. Res. 13 and S.J. Res 31
6/20/2025
Action Summary
- Legislative Action: The President signed into law two resolutions, S.J. Res. 13 and S.J. Res. 31, on June 20, 2025.
- S.J. Res. 13: Provides congressional disapproval, under chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regarding the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act.
- S.J. Res. 31: Provides congressional disapproval, also under chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency related to the reclassification of major sources as area sources under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.
Risks & Considerations
- The signing of S.J. Res. 13, which disapproves a rule related to the Bank Merger Act, could impact financial institutions and their operations. This may lead to increased scrutiny and regulatory challenges for banks considering mergers, potentially affecting their financial stability and market strategies.
- S.J. Res. 31 disapproves a rule related to the reclassification of major sources as area sources under the Clean Air Act. This could lead to stricter environmental regulations and compliance requirements for industries, potentially increasing operational costs and affecting their sustainability initiatives.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in financial and environmental regulations could impact its partnerships with financial institutions and industries, particularly those involved in research and development.
- The university’s research programs focusing on environmental science and policy may experience increased demand for expertise in navigating these regulatory changes, presenting opportunities for collaboration with government agencies and industries.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management may need to adjust its curriculum to address the evolving landscape of financial regulations and their implications for business strategies and operations.
- The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment could see increased opportunities for research and collaboration in response to the stricter environmental regulations, particularly in developing sustainable practices and technologies.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Research might need to explore new funding opportunities and partnerships with industries affected by these regulatory changes, ensuring alignment with federal priorities and compliance requirements.
Financial Impact
- The disapproval of the Bank Merger Act rule could lead to changes in the financial landscape, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s endowment and investment strategies if financial institutions face increased regulatory challenges.
- Stricter environmental regulations may lead to increased costs for industries, which could impact their ability to fund research and development initiatives at Vanderbilt, necessitating adjustments in funding strategies and partnerships.
- There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in environmental policy and sustainable practices, particularly through collaborations with the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies.
Relevance Score: 3 (The resolutions present moderate risks involving compliance and regulatory changes that could impact financial and environmental partnerships and strategies.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor the implications of S.J. Res. 13 on financial regulations, particularly how changes in the Bank Merger Act might affect university endowments and financial partnerships. Engaging with financial experts to assess potential impacts on university investments could be beneficial.
- The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment should evaluate the effects of S.J. Res. 31 on environmental policies and research funding. Understanding the reclassification of major sources under the Clean Air Act could influence ongoing and future research projects related to environmental sustainability and compliance.
- Vanderbilt’s Research Administration should assess how these legislative changes might impact federal research grants and funding opportunities, particularly in areas related to environmental science and financial regulation.
Opportunities
- The legislative changes present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to conduct research and provide thought leadership on the implications of congressional disapproval resolutions. This could enhance the university’s reputation in legal scholarship and policy analysis.
- By engaging with policymakers and industry leaders, Vanderbilt can position itself as a key player in discussions on financial and environmental regulatory changes. Hosting forums and workshops on these topics could further establish Vanderbilt as a leader in policy innovation and reform.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures due to potential impacts on financial and environmental research and partnerships.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A: No specific implementation deadlines were provided in the directive.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC): As part of the Department of the Treasury, this office’s rule regarding bank merger applications under the Bank Merger Act has been disapproved.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA is impacted due to the disapproval of its final rule on reclassifying major sources as area sources under the Clean Air Act.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 2 agencies are affected by the resolutions.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – The text provides only congressional disapproval of existing rules with no directives assigning implementation responsibilities to any specific official.
Relevance Score: 1 (No actionable implementation directives were identified in the text.)