Bill · H.R. 7132· House(119-HR-7132)
Enhancing Financial Stability Research and Oversight Act
- Introduced
- 1/16/2026
- Last activity
- 1/16/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Sponsored by
- Bill Foster
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Enhancing Financial Stability Research and Oversight Act," aims to amend the Financial Stability Act of 2010. It seeks to preserve independent funding for the Office of Financial Research by giving the Director sole discretion over its budget. The bill establishes a minimum annual budget and requires a minimum number of full-time equivalent positions for the Office. Additionally, it sets minimum staffing and funding levels for the Financial Stability Oversight Council. These changes are intended to prevent certain officials from influencing the budget or staffing of the Office.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill increases the autonomy of the Office of Financial Research by granting the Director sole discretion over the budget and limiting congressional oversight.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill mandates minimum staffing levels of 231 full-time equivalent positions for the Office of Financial Research and 48 for the Council.
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
Enhanced financial stability research and oversight can contribute to a more stable economic environment for businesses.
The opposite
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-5
The bill explicitly removes the requirement for the Office of Financial Research's funding to be subject to review by Congressional Appropriations Committees.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-3
The bill removes the ability of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to review the funding of the Office of Financial Research.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill establishes mandatory minimum funding levels and annual escalators that increase government expenditure.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Preservation of Independence: The bill changes the rules so the Secretary cannot influence the budget, the number of employees, or the compensation of employees of the Office of Financial Research (Section 2, Section 155(f)).
-
Guaranteed Staffing for Financial Research: The Director is required to ensure the Office of Financial Research has at least 231 full-time equivalent positions (Section 2, Section 152(b)(1)(A)(B)).
-
Guaranteed Staffing for the Council: The Chairperson of the Council must ensure there are not less than 48 full-time equivalent positions (Section 3(a), Section 111(k)).
-
Predictable Budget Adjustments: Both the Office of Financial Research and the Council have minimum budget levels that are adjusted annually based on the employment cost index for State and local government workers (Section 2, Section 152(b)(1)(A)(2); Section 3(b), Section 118(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Congressional Oversight: The bill states that the funding for the Office of Financial Research shall not be subject to review by the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate (Section 2, Section 155(e)).
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
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Fiscal Responsibility-3Reduces Government Spending-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Government Transparency-5
- 2/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
James HimesDemocrat · Connecticut
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York