House and Senate lawmakers wasted little time in using Congressional Review Act (CRA) authority to start an effort to stop the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule prohibiting the use of class action waivers in arbitration clauses.

The CRA permits Congress to overturn an agency rule within 60 legislative days after an agency has submitted the rule to Congress, with a simple majority vote. The rule appeared in the Federal Register on Wednesday, meaning that barring a literal act of Congress, this regulation is effective on Sept. 18.

In the House, a resolution was sponsored by Rep. Keith Rothfus, a Pennsylvania Republican.

“As a matter of principle, policy and process, this anti-consumer rule should be thoroughly rejected by Congress, and I applaud Congressman Rothfus for leading the effort in the House to do just that,” said House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, a Texas Republican.

“In the last election, the American people voted to drain the D.C. swamp of capricious, unaccountable bureaucrats who wish to control their lives. I can think of no better example of such bureaucrats than those at the CFPB. This CRA is a critical step towards fulfilling our promise to the American people and truly protecting consumers,” Hensarling said.

Sen. Mike Crapo, an Idaho Republican and chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is leading the charge with his Republican colleagues on a resolution from Congress’ upper chamber.

“Members of Congress previously expressed concerns with the proposed version of the rulemaking – concerns that were not addressed in the final rule,” Crapo said. “The rule is based on a flawed study that leading scholars have criticized as biased and inadequate, noting that it could leave consumers worse off by removing access to an important dispute resolution tool.

“By ignoring requests from Congress to reexamine the rule and develop alternatives between the status quo and effectively eliminating arbitration, the CFPB has once again proven a lack of accountability,” he continued. “Given the problems with the study and the bureau’s failure to address significant concerns, it is not only appropriate but incumbent on Congress to vote to overturn this rule.”

Two leading banking industry organizations immediately cheered the lawmaker actions.

—From Rob Nichols, who is president and chief executive officer of the American Bankers Association: “We applaud … members of the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees for putting consumers first, and taking the first steps to overturn the CFPB’s misguided arbitration rule.

“In moving forward with the rule, the CFPB chose to ignore the results of its own study — which found that consumers fare far better in arbitration — and instead promote class action lawsuits designed to benefit trial lawyers at consumers’ expense. The CFPB’s study found that consumers receive nothing at all in nearly nine out of 10 class action lawsuits, while people who prevail in arbitration receive $5,389 on average compared to just $32.35 in litigation.

“In reality, the vast majority of disputes get resolved quickly and amicably without the need for arbitration or legal action. If arbitration disappears, the Bureau will force consumers to navigate an already overcrowded legal system where the only winners will be trial lawyers. We think our customers deserve better, and we urge lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to overturn this anti-consumer rule as soon as possible.”

—From Richard Hunt, who is president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association: “Arbitration has long provided a faster, more cost-effective and higher recovery means of addressing consumer disputes than class action lawsuits. The CFPB’s own study shows the average consumer receives $5,400 in cash relief when using arbitration and just $32 through a class action suit.

“The real benefactors of the CFPB’s arbitration rule are not consumers, but trial lawyers who pocket over $1 million on average per class action lawsuit. Additionally, class action attorneys take on average 21 percent from their clients’ cash recoveries while some take as much as 63 percent. We encourage both the Senate and the House to move swiftly and overturn the CFPB’s anti-consumer arbitration rule.”

Meanwhile, consumer-facing organizations such as People’s Action expressed frustrations about what these lawmakers put in motion. Legacy organizations that created People’s Action a year ago include Alliance for a Just Society, Center for Health, Environment and Justice, Institute for America's Future, National People’s Action and USAction Education Fund.

“Once again Republicans in Congress have stood up tall and declared themselves firmly on the side of big banks and payday lenders, even when they break the law,” People’s Action said in a statement. “Today’s cynical, industry bought-and-paid-for move to invalidate the CFPB’s new arbitration rule, is possibly the most blatant anti-consumer move by Congress yet. 

“Forced arbitration strips consumers of the right to seek restitution from a judge when they are harmed. Forced arbitration is a proposition totally stacked in the predators’ favor,” the organization continued.

“Forced arbitration allows banks like Wells Fargo to keep massive law-breaking scams like their fraudulent account scandal out of the courts and the public’s eye, which they did for years before the CFPB stepped in and shut down the Wells Fargo account scheme. By trying to invalidate the CFPB’s arbitration rule, Congress wants to lock our families out of the courts and keep them from bringing big banks to justice,” People’s Action went on to say.

People’s Action added that “the public is not fooled,” while referencing a poll by Americans for Financial Reform found 78 percent of Americans want more Wall Street regulation.

“But Congressional Republicans aren’t listening to their voters, they’re listening to their donors,” People’s Action said.

A press conference hosted by the House Financial Services Committee can be viewed here or via the window at the top of this page.