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 2022-06: Unfair Returned Deposited Item Fee Assessment Practices".

Plain-English Summary

This resolution is a formal move by Congress to block a decision made by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Specifically, the CFPB had previously issued guidance in 2022 warning banks that charging customers fees for "returned deposited items" — checks or payments deposited by a customer that bounce because the person who wrote the check didn't have enough money — could be considered an unfair practice. The CFPB later withdrew that guidance, and this resolution is Congress's way of saying it disapproves of that withdrawal, effectively trying to restore the original consumer protection.

In plain terms: if you deposit a check from someone and that check bounces, some banks charge *you* a fee even though the mistake wasn't yours. The CFPB's original 2022 bulletin said that practice could be unfair to consumers. When the CFPB decided to pull back that guidance, this resolution pushes back against that decision using a process called the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress the power to reject or reverse certain agency actions.

This resolution would most directly affect everyday bank customers — particularly those who regularly deposit checks from others, such as small business owners, landlords, or individuals receiving personal payments. If the resolution succeeds, it could pressure banks to reconsider or eliminate these fees. It was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.