H.J.Res.73 - Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.J.Res.73 is a joint resolution introduced in the House of Representatives on March 6, 2025, relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025. The resolution aims to terminate the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14194, as per Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622).
The resolution was submitted by Mr. Meeks and co-sponsored by several other representatives. It was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
The core purpose of the resolution is to check the President's power to declare and maintain a national emergency, ensuring that such declarations do not extend beyond what is deemed necessary by Congress.
Expected Effects
If passed, H.J.Res.73 would terminate the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025. This would end the specific powers and authorities the President invoked under the National Emergencies Act.
The termination could lead to changes in policies, regulations, and resource allocations that were implemented as a result of the emergency declaration. It would also reaffirm Congress's oversight role in national emergency declarations.
Potential Benefits
- Restores balance of power between the executive and legislative branches by limiting the duration of emergency powers.
- Prevents potential overreach by the executive branch in utilizing emergency powers.
- Reassures the public that emergency measures are temporary and subject to congressional review.
- May lead to the rescinding of regulations or policies enacted under the emergency declaration that are no longer deemed necessary.
- Could result in reallocation of resources to address non-emergency needs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May hinder the government's ability to respond quickly to unforeseen crises if the terminated emergency was addressing a real and ongoing threat.
- Could disrupt programs or initiatives that were dependent on the emergency declaration for funding or authority.
- May create uncertainty for individuals and organizations that were relying on the emergency measures.
- Could be perceived as a sign of political division or weakness, potentially emboldening adversaries.
- If the emergency was legitimate, termination could leave the nation vulnerable to the original threat.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with the principle of checks and balances enshrined in the US Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 1, which vests all legislative powers in Congress. By seeking to terminate a national emergency declared by the President, Congress is exercising its oversight authority and ensuring that executive power is not unchecked.
The resolution also relates to the broader constitutional framework of separation of powers, preventing the executive branch from potentially accruing excessive power during a declared emergency. The National Emergencies Act itself was designed to provide a framework for presidential declarations of emergency while also ensuring congressional oversight, reflecting a balance between executive action and legislative review.
However, the specific constitutionality depends on the nature of the emergency and whether the President's initial declaration was within constitutional bounds. Without knowing the specifics of Executive Order 14194, a definitive assessment is challenging.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).