Terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 147
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-28T13:17:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 147) aims to end a specific national emergency declared by the President. The emergency, established through Executive Order 14323 on July 30, 2025, allowed the imposition of tariffs (duties) on goods imported from Brazil as a response to perceived threats, likely related to trade or national security.
Key Provisions
- Termination Authority: Invokes Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), which gives Congress the power to terminate presidentially declared national emergencies.
- Specific Target: Directly terminates the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14323 (published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2025, at 90 Fed. Reg. 37739).
- Sponsors and Referral: Introduced by Representatives Gregory Meeks and others on February 2, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- No new laws are created; instead, it reverses the effects of the executive order by ending the emergency declaration.
- This would automatically lift the tariffs on Brazilian imports imposed under the emergency, restoring normal trade rules unless other laws or orders maintain them.
- It does not amend the National Emergencies Act itself but exercises Congress's built-in termination mechanism, which requires a joint resolution passed by both chambers and presented to the President.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative would no longer enforce the Brazil-specific tariffs, reducing administrative burdens related to tariff collection and exemptions.
- On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. importers and consumers of Brazilian goods (e.g., agricultural products, machinery) could benefit from lower prices due to removed duties, potentially increasing affordability and supply chain efficiency. However, domestic industries protected by the tariffs might face increased competition.
- On International Relations: Could improve U.S.-Brazil trade ties by signaling a de-escalation of trade tensions, fostering better diplomatic and economic cooperation. It might encourage similar resolutions for other trade-related emergencies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Importers and Businesses: Companies relying on Brazilian imports would gain from tariff relief, lowering costs.
- Brazilian Exporters: Brazilian government and businesses would see easier access to the U.S. market, boosting their economy.
- U.S. Consumers: Everyday buyers of affected goods could experience price reductions.
- Domestic U.S. Industries: Sectors competing with Brazilian imports (e.g., steel or agriculture) might suffer from lost protection.
- Congress and the Executive Branch: Highlights congressional role in checking presidential emergency powers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the National Emergencies Act's framework, where Congress can override emergency declarations with a joint resolution (vetoable by the President). If passed, it would legally end the emergency without needing court involvement, though the President could veto it.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the separation of powers, as Article I of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress authority over commerce and war powers, allowing it to limit executive actions on trade and emergencies.
- Political: Represents bipartisan or targeted opposition to the use of emergency powers for trade policy, potentially setting a precedent for Congress to challenge similar executive orders on other countries. As an introduced bill in the 119th Congress (2nd Session), its success depends on committee approval, floor votes, and avoiding a presidential veto.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil. — issued 2026-02-02 — PDF (1 pages)