Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025.

Bill Number

H.J.Res. 72

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-02-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T15:38:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 72) aims to end a national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, through Executive Order 14193. It uses Congress's authority to terminate such emergencies, restoring normal legal and operational conditions unless overridden.

Key Provisions

• Invocation of Authority: The resolution cites section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (a 1976 law that lets the President declare emergencies for specific threats but requires congressional review; 50 U.S.C. 1622), allowing Congress to terminate the emergency by passing this measure.
• Specific Termination: It directly terminates the national emergency outlined in Executive Order 14193, published in the Federal Register (25 Fed. Reg. 02406).
• Legislative Process: Passed by the House of Representatives on February 11, 2026; received and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on February 12, 2026, for further review.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• No new laws are created or amended; instead, it reverses the effects of the President's emergency declaration by ending associated powers, authorities, or funding that were activated under the National Emergencies Act.
• This overrides the ongoing emergency status, potentially halting executive actions (like reallocating funds or imposing restrictions) tied to Executive Order 14193, reverting to pre-emergency rules.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Agencies relying on the emergency for expanded operations, funding, or regulatory powers (e.g., in finance, security, or disaster response) may need to scale back, leading to administrative adjustments or budget reallocations.
• On Citizens: Could remove temporary measures like economic sanctions, travel restrictions, or aid programs linked to the emergency, affecting individuals or businesses in relevant sectors; normal protections and rights under standard laws would resume.
• On International Relations: If the emergency involved foreign policy (e.g., trade or security threats), termination might signal reduced U.S. urgency, potentially easing tensions or altering diplomatic stances with other countries.
• Overall, it promotes a return to routine governance, reducing prolonged executive discretion.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: Gains by exercising oversight, reasserting legislative control over emergency powers.
• Executive Branch (President and Agencies): Loses the legal basis for emergency-related actions, requiring alternative justifications for ongoing policies.
• Citizens and Businesses: Those impacted by the emergency's provisions (e.g., in economic, health, or security areas) may experience changes in regulations, benefits, or obligations.
• Senate Committee on Finance: Directly involved in reviewing and potentially advancing the resolution, influencing fiscal and trade implications.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces the National Emergencies Act's mechanism for congressional termination, ensuring emergencies are not indefinite; the President could veto this resolution, but Congress could override with a two-thirds vote.
• Constitutional: Highlights the balance of powers, with Congress checking executive authority under Article I (legislative branch) against Article II (executive), preventing unchecked emergency declarations.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan or majority congressional intent to limit emergency durations, potentially setting a precedent for future declarations; referral to the Finance Committee suggests possible economic or budgetary ties to the original emergency.

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 (10)

Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
• 2026-02-11: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-02-11: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 211 (Roll no. 65). (text: CR H2154) (Roll call 65)
• 2026-02-11: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 211 (Roll no. 65). (Roll call 65)
• 2026-02-11: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2169)
• 2026-02-11: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 72, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Meeks demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
• 2026-02-11: The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
• 2026-02-11: DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 72.
• 2026-02-11: Considered pursuant to a previous order. (consideration: CR H2154-2161)
• 2026-02-11: Consideration initiated pursuant to a previous order.
• 2026-02-10: ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Mast asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider in the House H.J. Res. 72 if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or his designee; that all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution be waived; that the joint resolution be considered as read; that all points of order against provisions in the joint resolution be waived; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion except for one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or their respective designees.
• 2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025. — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (4 pages)
• Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025. — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (1 pages)
• Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025. — issued 2026-02-12 — PDF (2 pages)