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

Bill Number

H.J.Res. 73

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2025-05-14T08:05:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 73) aims to terminate a specific national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, through Executive Order 14194. It invokes Congress's authority under the National Emergencies Act to end emergency powers that the President has activated.

Key Provisions

• The resolution directly terminates the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14194, as published in the Federal Register (25 Fed. Reg. 02407).
• It is enacted pursuant to section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), which allows Congress to end a presidential emergency declaration through a joint resolution.
• Introduced on March 6, 2025, by Representatives Gregory Meeks, Richard Neal, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, Greg Stanton, and Joaquin Castro; referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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 restrictions that were put in place under Executive Order 14194.
• This enforces the National Emergencies Act's mechanism for congressional oversight, potentially limiting the duration of executive actions tied to the emergency.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Federal agencies relying on the emergency declaration for funding, operations, or policy implementation (e.g., in foreign affairs, given the committee referral) would lose those authorities, requiring a shift to standard legal frameworks.
• On citizens: Any emergency measures affecting individuals—such as sanctions, trade restrictions, or security protocols—would end, potentially restoring normal activities but also halting protections or responses tied to the emergency.
• On international relations: If the emergency involved foreign policy (e.g., responses to international threats), termination could signal a policy shift, affecting diplomatic efforts, alliances, or economic relations with other countries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: Exercises its constitutional role in checking executive power.
• Executive Branch (President and agencies): Loses emergency-based authorities, impacting departments like State or Treasury if foreign-related.
• U.S. citizens and businesses: Those impacted by the emergency's provisions, such as in trade, security, or immigration.
• International actors: Foreign governments or entities targeted or influenced by the emergency measures.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces the National Emergencies Act's balance between executive flexibility in crises and congressional termination rights; if passed, it would legally void the emergency without needing presidential approval (as a joint resolution).
• Constitutional: Highlights separation of powers, with Congress asserting oversight over the President's Article II authority to declare emergencies.
• Political: Could reflect partisan or policy disagreements on the necessity of the emergency, potentially leading to debates on national security priorities; its referral to the Foreign Affairs Committee suggests implications for U.S. foreign policy.

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 (8)

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. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

Recent Actions

• 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 2025-03-06 — PDF (1 pages)