A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill changes how national emergency declarations made by the President work by requiring active congressional approval. Under this legislation, a declared national emergency and its specific powers will only last for 30 calendar days unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval. The bill also requires the President to renew emergencies annually with congressional approval and submit detailed periodic reports on emergency expenditures and actions. Furthermore, it outlines specific legislative procedures for both the Senate and the House to quickly consider these joint resolutions. Finally, the bill excludes certain national emergencies invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act from these specific new requirements.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill enhances transparency by requiring detailed reports on emergency circumstances and expenditures to be made public.
- Scored +1
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill increases fiscal accountability by requiring reports on estimated expenditures and returning unobligated funds upon termination of an emergency.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill reduces the unilateral power of the President to declare and maintain national emergencies without Congressional approval.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 (adding Section 201(b) and Section 202(a) to the National Emergencies Act) requires the President to specify the exact laws they plan to use, and limits the emergency and its powers to 30 days unless Congress approves it. This is positive because it gives elected officials in Congress a direct say in checking executive power.
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Section 3 (adding Section 401(d) and Section 401(f) to the National Emergencies Act) forces the President to provide written reports every six months detailing estimated expenditures, actions taken, and the statutory authorities relied upon. This is a positive step for accountability, as it ensures the public and congressional leaders know how money and emergency powers are being spent.
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Section 3 (amending Section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act) requires the President to make final and regular reports publicly available. This benefits the people by ensuring transparency and allowing everyday citizens to see what is happening during a national emergency.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2 (adding Section 202(a)(1) and Section 202(a)(2) to the National Emergencies Act) terminates emergency declarations and powers after 30 days if Congress fails to enact a joint resolution of approval. This could be viewed as a negative burden if a fast-moving crisis requires prolonged emergency measures and Congress is slow to act or gridlocked, potentially leaving critical emergency responses halted.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill increases fiscal accountability by requiring reports on estimated expenditures and returning unobligated funds upon termination of an emergency.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill enhances transparency by requiring detailed reports on emergency circumstances and expenditures to be made public. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill reduces the unilateral power of the President to declare and maintain national emergencies without Congressional approval.
- 8/20/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee