This bill would change how the United States handles presidential declarations of national emergency. It amends the National Emergencies Act to require the President to transmit a proclamation to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register. The President must list the specific statutory powers and authorities that will be used. A declaration would last 30 calendar days unless Congress passes a "joint resolution of approval." Emergency powers tied to the declaration may be used only during that 30-day period unless Congress approves both the declaration and the specific powers to be used.
The bill also sets rules for renewing an emergency for up to one year at a time. A renewal requires the President to publish an Executive order and Congress to enact a joint resolution approving that renewal before the emergency would otherwise end. If Congress does not approve a declaration, the President may not exercise the specified powers for the rest of that President's term and may not declare a new emergency for the same circumstances during that term. The bill includes an exception if Congress is physically unable to convene because of an armed attack or related emergency.
The bill adds reporting rules. When declaring or renewing an emergency, the President must give Congress and certain House and Senate leaders a written report that is also made publicly available. The report must describe the circumstances, estimated duration, actions to be taken, the statutory authorities the Administration will rely on, and estimated expenditures directly attributable to the emergency for a six-month period. The President must give updates at least every six months while the emergency continues and must provide other information Congress requests.
The bill creates a separate title that applies specifically to emergencies invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). It also moves and renumbers existing sections of the National Emergencies Act, repeals an older title, and changes a reference in IEEPA from a "concurrent resolution" to a "joint resolution." The bill takes effect on enactment and generally applies to emergencies declared on or after that date; it also sets rules for renewing certain existing emergencies.
If enacted, the President could still declare national emergencies, but most emergency powers and actions tied to those declarations would be limited to short initial periods (30 days) unless Congress approves them. The law would require the President to publicly describe the reasons, planned actions, and estimated spending tied to any new or renewed national emergency. Congress would have a defined, expedited process to consider and approve or disapprove those declarations and the specific legal authorities the President wants to use.
No publicly available information on estimated costs to implement this bill or on any budgetary effects. The bill does require the President to include an estimate of total expenditures directly attributable to the emergency for a six-month period in the report transmitted with a declaration.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.