A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs.
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 49
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Failed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote by which S.J. Res. 49 failed of passage (Record Vote No. 225) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 226.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-27T09:06:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 49) aims to end a national emergency declared by the President to justify imposing global tariffs on imports. It uses Congress's authority to terminate such emergencies, restoring normal trade processes without the emergency powers.
Key Provisions
- Termination of Emergency: The resolution declares the end of the national emergency established on April 2, 2025, through Executive Order 14257 (published in the Federal Register).
- Effective Date: The termination takes effect immediately upon the resolution becoming law.
- Legal Basis: It invokes Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), which allows Congress to terminate presidentially declared emergencies by passing a joint resolution.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend laws but directly overrides the ongoing national emergency under the National Emergencies Act.
- It removes the President's emergency-based authority to impose tariffs, potentially requiring new legislative or executive actions for any future trade measures tied to this emergency.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The executive branch (e.g., Department of Commerce, U.S. Trade Representative) would lose emergency powers for tariff enforcement, shifting trade policy back to standard statutory processes.
- On Citizens: Consumers and businesses could see reduced or eliminated tariffs, potentially lowering prices for imported goods but affecting domestic industries protected by those tariffs.
- On International Relations: Trading partners may experience eased trade tensions, as global tariffs could be lifted, promoting smoother international commerce but possibly altering U.S. leverage in negotiations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress and Executive Branch: Congress asserts oversight; the President loses emergency authority.
- Businesses and Importers/Exporters: Companies reliant on global supply chains benefit from tariff relief, while protected U.S. industries (e.g., manufacturing) may face increased competition.
- Consumers and Workers: Everyday Americans could gain from cheaper imports, but workers in tariff-protected sectors might see job risks.
- Foreign Governments and Entities: International trading partners, such as those in the EU, China, or allies, are directly impacted by the end of U.S.-imposed tariffs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the National Emergencies Act's mechanism for congressional checks on executive power, ensuring emergencies (temporary by design) cannot indefinitely expand presidential authority on trade.
- Constitutional: Highlights the balance of powers under Article I (Congress's commerce clause role) versus Article II (executive foreign affairs powers), potentially setting a precedent for challenging emergency declarations in trade disputes.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., by Senators Wyden, Paul, Schumer) signals cross-party concern over using national emergencies for economic policy, which could influence future debates on trade and emergency overuse without altering the document's neutral intent.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote by which S.J. Res. 49 failed of passage (Record Vote No. 225) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 49. Record Vote Number: 226. (Roll call 225)
- 2025-04-30: Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which S.J. Res. 49 failed of passage (Record Vote No. 225) made in Senate.
- 2025-04-30: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 49. Record Vote Number: 225. (Roll call 225)
- 2025-04-30: Failed of passage/not agreed to in Senate: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 49. Record Vote Number: 225. (Roll call 225)
- 2025-04-30: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2683, S2687-2695, S2683)
- 2025-04-30: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-04-30: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-04-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Terminating the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs. — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (1 pages)