A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy.
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 71
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Failed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-08: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 554.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T14:09:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 71) aims to end a national emergency declaration related to energy issues, specifically terminating the powers and measures activated under that declaration to restore normal legal and operational frameworks.
Key Provisions
- Termination of Emergency: The resolution explicitly terminates the national emergency on energy declared by the President on January 20, 2025, via Executive Order 14156 (published in the Federal Register at 90 Fed. Reg. 8433).
- Legal Basis: It invokes the National Emergencies Act (a federal law, 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), which allows Congress to end such emergencies through a joint resolution.
- Introduction Details: Introduced in the Senate on July 31, 2025, by Senator Kaine (with Senator Heinrich as co-sponsor) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend or create new laws but directly revokes the ongoing national emergency status established by the executive order.
- Under the National Emergencies Act, presidential declarations of emergencies grant temporary expanded powers (e.g., for resource allocation or regulatory flexibility in energy crises). Termination would automatically end any related executive actions, orders, or funding tied to that emergency, reverting to standard statutory authorities without altering the underlying Act itself.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Department of Energy or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may lose special authorities or funding streams activated for energy-related emergencies, potentially requiring a shift back to routine operations and budgeting.
- On Citizens: Could affect energy consumers by ending any emergency-driven measures, such as price controls, supply mandates, or relief programs, leading to normalization of energy markets but possibly disrupting short-term supports if the emergency addressed shortages or crises.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact unless the emergency involved cross-border energy trade or sanctions; termination might signal a de-escalation in U.S. energy policy abroad, affecting alliances or negotiations on global energy security.
- Overall, it promotes a return to peacetime governance, reducing executive overreach in energy policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congress: Gains oversight by exercising its authority to check presidential emergency powers.
- The President and Executive Branch: Loses the declared emergency's enhanced authorities, potentially limiting flexibility in responding to energy issues.
- Energy Sector: Includes utilities, oil/gas companies, and renewable energy firms, which may face changes in regulations, subsidies, or emergency procurement rules.
- General Public and Consumers: Impacted through energy pricing, availability, and any related economic policies tied to the emergency.
- Environmental and Advocacy Groups: Could influence ongoing debates on energy independence, climate policy, or crisis response.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the National Emergencies Act's congressional termination mechanism (a joint resolution passed by both houses and signed by the President or overridden via veto), ensuring emergencies are not indefinite. It upholds separation of powers by allowing legislative reversal of executive declarations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress primary authority over declaring war and funding, indirectly checking executive emergency powers that could expand without oversight.
- Political: Highlights partisan or bipartisan tensions over energy policy (e.g., fossil fuels vs. renewables); as a Senate-introduced measure in the 119th Congress, it could spark debates on executive overreach, especially if the emergency addressed timely issues like supply chain disruptions or geopolitical energy threats. If passed, it sets a precedent for quicker congressional intervention in future emergencies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-08: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 554. (Roll call 554)
- 2025-10-08: Failed of passage/not agreed to in Senate: Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 554. (Roll call 554)
- 2025-10-08: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7016-7030; text: CR S7016)
- 2025-10-08: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-10-08: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-07-31: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Terminating the national emergency declared with respect to energy. — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (1 pages)