By What Authority?

An interesting change has been proposed in the ongoing curial reform:

The Vatican Press Office director noted that another proposal was to create a Congregation for the Laity, just as there already are congregations for bishops, clergy and religious.
Already in existence is the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The difference, however, would be that the pontifical councils are more pastoral, whereas a congregation has more authority and can make formal acts in a way a council cannot.

What authority is that?
I wonder if pew-sitters, priests and periodicals that have raised a holy an unholy fuss when  Vatican congregations have intervened in matters such as cathedral renovations will grant that such congregations do have some authority?