Relating to a national emergency by the President on April 2, 2025.

Bill Number

H.J.Res. 91

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1529)

Last Updated

2025-10-09T03:26:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 91) aims to terminate a national emergency declared by the President on April 2, 2025, through Executive Order 14257. It invokes Congress's authority under the National Emergencies Act to end the emergency, thereby limiting the executive branch's ability to continue actions tied to that declaration.

Key Provisions

• Termination of Emergency: The resolution directly terminates the national emergency specified in Executive Order 14257, as published in the Federal Register (25 Fed. Reg. 06063).
• Legal Basis: It relies on section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), which allows Congress to end a presidentially declared national emergency through a joint resolution.
• Sponsorship and Referral: Introduced in the House of Representatives on April 8, 2025, by Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and numerous co-sponsors from both parties; referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for review.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This resolution does not amend or alter the National Emergencies Act itself but exercises its existing mechanism to override and end a specific emergency declaration.
• It reverses the effects of Executive Order 14257, potentially halting any temporary powers, funding reallocations, or regulatory actions that were activated under the emergency (though the exact scope of the original order is not detailed in the resolution).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Executive agencies (e.g., those involved in foreign affairs, given the committee referral) would lose authority to operate under the emergency's provisions, requiring them to revert to standard procedures and potentially reallocating resources.
• On Citizens: Depending on the emergency's focus (not specified here, but possibly related to foreign policy), it could end restrictions, sanctions, or protections affecting individuals, businesses, or travel; citizens might see normalized operations without emergency measures.
• On International Relations: If the emergency involved international issues (inferred from the committee), termination could signal a shift in U.S. policy, easing tensions or altering diplomatic stances with foreign governments.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: Primarily Democrats in this case (based on sponsors), using the resolution to assert legislative oversight over executive actions.
• Executive Branch: The President and affected federal agencies, whose emergency powers would be curtailed.
• Public and Interest Groups: Citizens, businesses, or advocacy organizations impacted by the emergency's policies, such as those in trade, security, or foreign aid sectors.
• Foreign Entities: Governments or international partners if the emergency declaration influenced U.S. foreign policy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Constitutional: Reinforces the separation of powers by demonstrating Congress's check on presidential emergency authority under the National Emergencies Act, a 1976 law designed to prevent indefinite emergencies (a "national emergency" here refers to a formal declaration allowing the President to access special powers during crises).
• Political: Highlights bipartisan potential (though sponsors are mostly Democrats) in challenging executive actions; could set a precedent for quicker congressional responses to future declarations, potentially leading to debates over emergency abuse or national security priorities. No direct constitutional challenges are raised, but it underscores ongoing tensions between branches of government.

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 (45)

Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Liccardo, Sam [D-CA-16], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Conaway, Herbert [D-NJ-3], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1529)
• 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Relating to a national emergency by the President on April 2, 2025. — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (2 pages)