Amending House Resolution 211 to ensure that days occurring during the first session of the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress constitute calendar days for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622) with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 304
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-29T12:28:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 304) aims to modify an earlier procedural rule in the House of Representatives to ensure that all days during the first session of the 119th Congress count as full "calendar days" when calculating time limits for Congress to act on terminating a specific national emergency. The national emergency in question was declared by the President on February 1, 2025, under the National Emergencies Act (NEA), which allows Congress to end such emergencies through a joint resolution (a bill passed by both the House and Senate).
Key Provisions
- Amendment to House Resolution 211: The resolution strikes (removes) section 4 from House Resolution 211, which was adopted on March 11, 2025. Section 4 likely contained rules that limited how certain days (such as during recesses) were counted toward the NEA's timelines.
- Application to NEA Section 202: This change ensures that days in the first session of the 119th Congress are treated as calendar days for the purposes of section 202 of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1622). Under the NEA, a joint resolution to terminate an emergency must be introduced within 15 calendar days of the emergency's declaration and considered expeditiously.
- Effective Date: The amendment takes effect retroactively, as if it had been part of the original adoption of House Resolution 211.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- House Resolution 211 established general rules for the 119th Congress, including how days are counted during legislative sessions (e.g., excluding non-session days like holidays or recesses from certain timelines). By removing section 4, this resolution eliminates any such exclusions specifically for the joint resolution terminating the February 1, 2025, national emergency.
- No broader changes to the NEA itself; this is a procedural adjustment limited to House rules and this one emergency.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could accelerate congressional review of the emergency termination, potentially affecting executive branch agencies relying on the emergency powers (e.g., for funding or authority in areas like national security or disaster response, though the specific emergency's details are not provided).
- On Citizens: Indirectly impacts those affected by the emergency declaration, as faster termination might end related policies or resource allocations sooner, depending on the emergency's scope (e.g., border security, public health, or economic measures).
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact unless the emergency involves foreign affairs (e.g., sanctions or military actions); quicker congressional action could signal U.S. policy shifts abroad.
- Overall, this procedural tweak promotes stricter adherence to NEA timelines, potentially making it easier for Congress to override the President's emergency without delays from session gaps.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. House of Representatives: Directly impacts House procedures for handling the joint resolution, affecting members' ability to meet NEA deadlines.
- President and Executive Branch: Limits flexibility in sustaining the emergency by enforcing full calendar-day counting, potentially pressuring the administration to justify or end it.
- Senate and Congress as a Whole: Influences joint resolution processes, as House rules feed into bicameral actions.
- Public and Interest Groups: Those benefiting from or opposing the emergency (e.g., advocacy groups on immigration, environment, or civil liberties) may see faster resolution of related debates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces Congress's constitutional authority under Article I to check executive power via the NEA, ensuring procedural rules do not undermine statutory timelines. "Calendar days" in the NEA mean straightforward counting of days on the calendar, without exclusions, to prevent delays.
- Constitutional: Aligns with separation of powers by clarifying legislative tools to terminate emergencies, avoiding potential challenges if House rules were seen as obstructing NEA compliance.
- Political: This targeted amendment could be viewed as a partisan move to facilitate ending a specific emergency declared by the President, highlighting tensions between congressional majorities and the executive. It sets a precedent for future procedural tweaks in emergency oversight but is narrowly tailored to avoid broader disruption.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- 2025-04-08: Submitted in House
- 2025-04-08: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Amending House Resolution 211 to ensure that days occurring during the first session of the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress constitute calendar days for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622) with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025. — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (2 pages)