A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil.
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 81
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-31: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-28T13:01:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 81) aims to end a specific national emergency declared by the President, which was used to impose tariffs (customs duties) on goods imported from Brazil. The goal is to terminate these emergency measures, restoring normal trade conditions.
Key Provisions
- Invocation of Authority: The resolution uses Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (a law that allows Congress to end presidentially declared emergencies) to formally terminate the emergency.
- Specific Emergency Targeted: It directly ends the national emergency declared on July 30, 2025, through Executive Order 14323 (published in the Federal Register on that date).
- Legislative Action: Passed by the Senate on October 28, 2025, as a joint resolution requiring approval from both the Senate and House of Representatives to take effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Termination of Emergency Powers: This ends the President's use of emergency authority to impose tariffs on Brazilian imports, effectively revoking the duties established under Executive Order 14323.
- No Broader Amendments: The resolution does not alter the National Emergencies Act itself but applies its termination mechanism to this specific case, shifting from emergency-based trade restrictions back to standard trade laws and agreements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative would no longer enforce the Brazil-specific duties, reducing administrative workload related to these tariffs.
- On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. importers and consumers of Brazilian goods (e.g., agricultural products, machinery, or raw materials) may see lower costs due to the removal of tariffs, potentially benefiting industries reliant on these imports.
- On International Relations: Improves trade relations with Brazil by eliminating a unilateral U.S. trade barrier, which could foster better diplomatic ties and encourage reciprocal trade benefits, though it might signal a shift in U.S. trade policy priorities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Exercises its oversight role in checking executive branch actions on emergencies and trade.
- U.S. Executive Branch (President and Agencies): Loses the emergency declaration, limiting short-term flexibility in trade enforcement.
- Businesses and Importers: U.S. companies importing from Brazil gain from reduced costs; Brazilian exporters benefit from easier access to the U.S. market.
- Brazilian Government and Economy: Positively affected through restored market access, potentially boosting bilateral trade volumes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the National Emergencies Act's provision for congressional termination of emergencies (50 U.S.C. 1622), upholding the balance between executive initiative and legislative oversight without requiring presidential approval for termination.
- Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, as Congress uses its Article I authority to regulate commerce and check executive actions, preventing indefinite use of emergency declarations for trade policy.
- Political: Demonstrates congressional willingness to intervene in executive trade decisions, which could set a precedent for future disputes over emergency-based tariffs; it remains neutral on broader trade debates but underscores the role of joint resolutions in foreign economic policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-31: Held at the desk.
- 2025-10-31: Received in the House.
- 2025-10-30: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-10-28: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 48. Record Vote Number: 594. (text: CR S7778-7779) (Roll call 594)
- 2025-10-28: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 48. Record Vote Number: 594. (Roll call 594)
- 2025-10-28: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7766-7779)
- 2025-10-28: Senate Committee on Finance discharged pursuant to the order of 10/07/2025.
- 2025-10-28: Senate Committee on Finance discharged pursuant to the order of 10/07/2025.
- 2025-09-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2025-09-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil. — issued 2025-10-28 — PDF (2 pages)