Bill · H.R. 2702· House(119-HR-2702)
FIRM Act
- Introduced
- 4/8/2025
- Last activity
- 6/20/2025 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 131.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Barr
- Cosponsors
- - 18 - 1
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The FIRM Act aims to prevent Federal banking agencies from using political influence through the supervision of depository institutions. It seeks to accomplish this by eliminating "reputational risk" from the oversight process. The bill defines reputational risk as potential negative publicity or public opinion affecting an institution. It requires agencies to remove all references to this risk from their guidance and manuals. Furthermore, the act prohibits agencies from using reputational risk to make supervisory decisions or enforcement actions. Finally, it mandates that agencies report their implementation of these changes to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
The bill aims to protect business owners from regulatory actions based on reputational risk and political agendas.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+1
The bill requires agencies to report their implementation of these changes to Congress.
Is this likely to grow the economy?+1
By ensuring equal access to financial services, the bill may support economic activity for various industries.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill limits the regulatory reach and supervisory authority of Federal banking agencies.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-2
The removal of reputational risk oversight could potentially reduce the ability of agencies to address risks stemming from negative public sentiment or business practices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Equal Opportunity for Financial Services: The bill finds that all law-abiding citizens and federally legal businesses should have equal opportunity to obtain financial services regardless of political ideology (Section 2).
-
Protection from Political Influence: By removing reputational risk, the bill intends to stop Federal banking agencies from using subjective negative publicity to implement political agendas (Section 2).
-
Prevention of Unlawful Discrimination: The bill states that financial service providers should make business decisions based on factors free from unlawful prejudice (Section 2).
-
Clarification of Supervisory Focus: The bill aims to ensure that banking agency supervision focuses on the safety and soundness of depository institutions rather than unnecessary uses of authority (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated within the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1Increases Federal Power-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Improves Small Business Support+1Improves Consumer Protection-2
- 6/20/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-164.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 131.
- 5/21/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 19.
- 5/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/5/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 16 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Troy DowningRepublican · Montana
Scott FitzgeraldRepublican · Wisconsin
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin
Andrew GarbarinoRepublican · New York
Frank LucasRepublican · Oklahoma
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Barry LoudermilkRepublican · Georgia
Lisa McClainRepublican · Michigan
Mark MessmerRepublican · Indiana
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Andrew OglesRepublican · Tennessee
John RoseRepublican · Tennessee
Pete SessionsRepublican · Texas
Marlin StutzmanRepublican · Indiana
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
William TimmonsRepublican · South Carolina
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri
Roger WilliamsRepublican · Texas