REPUBLIC Act
S. 4373118th Congress

REPUBLIC Act

Reported by CommitteeSen. Rand Paul (R-KY)284 sections · 31 min read
Version: Reported to Senate · Dec 19, 2024

(a) Short title

This Act may be cited as the Reforming Emergency Powers to Uphold the Balances and Limitations Inherent in the Constitution Act or the REPUBLIC Act.

(b) Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Section 101. Congressional review of national emergencies

Title II of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended by striking sections 201 and 202 and inserting the following:

(a) Authority To declare national emergencies

With respect to Acts of Congress authorizing the exercise, during the period of a national emergency, of any special or extraordinary power, the President is authorized to declare such a national emergency by proclamation. Such proclamation shall immediately be transmitted to Congress and published in the Federal Register.

(b) Specification of provisions of law To be exercised

No powers or authorities made available by statute for use during the period of a national emergency shall be exercised unless and until the President specifies the provisions of law under which the President proposes that the President or other officers will act in—

(1) a proclamation declaring a national emergency under subsection (a); or

(2) one or more Executive orders relating to the emergency published in the Federal Register and transmitted to Congress.

(1) Subsequent declarations

If a joint resolution of approval is not enacted under section 203 with respect to a national emergency before the expiration of the 30-day period described in section 202(a), or with respect to a national emergency proposed to be renewed under section 202(b), the President may not, during the remainder of the term of office of that President, declare a subsequent national emergency under subsection (a) with respect to the same circumstances.

(2) Exercise of authorities

If a joint resolution of approval is not enacted under section 203 with respect to a power or authority specified by the President in a proclamation under subsection (a) or an Executive order under subsection (b)(2) with respect to a national emergency, the President may not, during the remainder of the term of office of that President, exercise that power or authority with respect to that emergency.

(d) Effect of future laws

No law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act shall supersede this title unless it does so in specific terms, referring to this title, and declaring that the new law supersedes the provisions of this title.

(1) In general

A declaration of a national emergency shall remain in effect for 30 days from the issuance of the proclamation under section 201(a) (not counting the day on which the proclamation was issued) and shall terminate when that 30-day period expires unless there is enacted into law a joint resolution of approval under section 203 with respect to the proclamation.

(2) Exercise of powers and authorities

Any emergency power or authority made available under a provision of law specified pursuant to section 201(b) may be exercised pursuant to a declaration of a national emergency for 30 days from the issuance of the proclamation or Executive order (not counting the day on which such proclamation or Executive order was issued). That power or authority may not be exercised after that 30-day period expires unless there is enacted into law a joint resolution of approval under section 203 approving—

(A) the proclamation of the national emergency or the Executive order; and

(B) the exercise of the power or authority specified by the President in such proclamation or Executive order.

(3) Exception if Congress is unable to convene

If Congress is physically unable to convene as a result of an armed attack upon the United States or another national emergency, the 30-day periods described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall begin on the first day Congress convenes for the first time after the attack or other emergency.

(b) Renewal of national emergencies

A national emergency declared by the President under section 201(a) or previously renewed under this subsection, and not already terminated pursuant to subsection (a) or (c), shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after the President transmitted to Congress the proclamation declaring the emergency or Congress approved a previous renewal pursuant to this subsection, unless—

(1) the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to Congress an Executive order renewing the emergency; and

(2) there is enacted into law a joint resolution of approval renewing the emergency pursuant to section 203 before the termination of the emergency or previous renewal of the emergency.

(A) In general

Any national emergency declared by the President under section 201(a) shall terminate on the earliest of—

(i) the date provided for in subsection (a);

(ii) the date provided for in subsection (b);

(iii) the date specified in an Act of Congress terminating the emergency; or

(iv) the date specified in a proclamation of the President terminating the emergency.

(B) 5-year limitation

Under no circumstances may a national emergency declared by the President under section 201(a)—

(i) continue on or after the date that is 5 years after the date on which the national emergency was first declared; or

(ii) in the case of a national emergency declared before the date of the enactment of the Reforming Emergency Powers to Uphold the Balances and Limitations Inherent in the Constitution Act, continue on or after the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment.

(A) In general

Effective on the date of the termination of a national emergency under paragraph (1)—

(i) except as provided by subparagraph (B), any powers or authorities exercised by reason of the emergency shall cease to be exercised;

(ii) any amounts reprogrammed or transferred under any provision of law with respect to the emergency that remain unobligated on that date shall be returned and made available for the purpose for which such amounts were appropriated; and

(iii) any contracts entered into under any provision of law relating to the emergency shall be terminated.

(B) Savings provision

The termination of a national emergency shall not affect—

(i) any legal action taken or pending legal proceeding not finally concluded or determined on the date of the termination under paragraph (1);

(ii) any legal action or legal proceeding based on any act committed prior to that date; or

(iii) any rights or duties that matured or penalties that were incurred prior to that date.

(a) Joint resolution of approval defined

In this section, the term joint resolution of approval means a joint resolution that contains only the following provisions after its resolving clause:

(1) A provision approving—

(A) a proclamation of a national emergency made under section 201(a);

(B) an Executive order issued under section 201(b)(2); or

(C) an Executive order issued under section 202(b).

(2) A provision approving a list of all or a portion of the provisions of law specified by the President under section 201(b) in the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution.

(1) Introduction

After the President transmits to Congress a proclamation declaring a national emergency under section 201(a), or an Executive order specifying emergency powers or authorities under section 201(b)(2) or renewing a national emergency under section 202(b), a joint resolution of approval may be introduced in either House of Congress by any member of that House.

(2) Requests to convene Congress during recesses

If, when the President transmits to Congress a proclamation declaring a national emergency under section 201(a), or an Executive order specifying emergency powers or authorities under section 201(b)(2) or renewing a national emergency under section 202(b), Congress has adjourned sine die or has adjourned for any period in excess of 3 calendar days, the majority leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or their respective designees, acting jointly after consultation with and with the concurrence of the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House, shall notify the Members of the Senate and House, respectively, to reassemble at such place and time as they may designate if, in their opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.

(3) Committee referral

A joint resolution of approval shall be referred in each House of Congress to the committee or committees having jurisdiction over the emergency authorities invoked by the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution.

(4) Consideration in Senate

In the Senate, the following shall apply:

(A) Reporting and discharge

If the committee to which a joint resolution of approval has been referred has not reported it at the end of 10 calendar days after its introduction, that committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the resolution and it shall be placed on the calendar.

(B) Proceeding to consideration

Notwithstanding Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution of approval is referred has reported the resolution, or when that committee is discharged under subparagraph (A) from further consideration of the resolution, it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion to proceed is subject to 4 hours of debate divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution of approval. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business.

(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), no amendments shall be in order with respect to a joint resolution of approval.

(ii) Amendments to strike or add specified provisions of law

Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any amendment—

(I) to strike a provision or provisions of law from the list required by subsection (a)(2); or

(II) to add to that list a provision or provisions of law specified by the President under section 201(b) in the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution of approval.

(D) Motion to reconsider final vote

A motion to reconsider a vote on passage of a joint resolution of approval shall not be in order.

(E) Appeals

Points of order, including questions of relevancy, and appeals from the decision of the Presiding Officer, shall be decided without debate.

(5) Consideration in House of Representatives

In the House of Representatives, the following shall apply:

(A) Reporting and discharge

If any committee to which a joint resolution of approval has been referred has not reported it to the House within 10 calendar days after the date of referral, such committee shall be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution.

(i) In general

Beginning on the third legislative day after each committee to which a joint resolution of approval has been referred reports it to the House or has been discharged from further consideration, and except as provided in clause (ii), it shall be in order to move to proceed to consider the joint resolution in the House. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. The motion shall not be debatable. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order.

(ii) Subsequent motions to proceed to joint resolution of approval

A motion to proceed to consider a joint resolution of approval shall not be in order after the House has disposed of another motion to proceed on that resolution.

(C) Floor consideration

Upon adoption of the motion to proceed in accordance with subparagraph (B)(i), the joint resolution of approval shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion except two hours of debate, which shall include debate on any amendments, equally divided and controlled by the sponsor of the joint resolution (or a designee) and an opponent. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint resolution shall not be in order.

(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), no amendments shall be in order with respect to a joint resolution of approval.

(ii) Amendments to strike or add specified provisions of law

Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any amendment—

(I) to strike a provision or provisions of law from the list required by subsection (a)(2); or

(II) to add to that list a provision or provisions of law specified by the President under section 201(b) in the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution.

(6) Receipt of resolution from other House

If, before passing a joint resolution of approval, one House receives from the other a joint resolution of approval from the other House, then—

(A) the joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee and shall be deemed to have been discharged from committee on the day it is received; and

(B) the procedures set forth in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), as applicable, shall apply in the receiving House to the joint resolution received from the other House to the same extent as such procedures apply to a joint resolution of the receiving House.

(c) Rule of construction

The enactment of a joint resolution of approval under this section shall not be interpreted to serve as a grant or modification by Congress of statutory authority for the emergency powers of the President.

(d) Rules of the House and Senate

This section is enacted by Congress—

(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the House in the case of joint resolutions described in this section, and supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such other rules; and

(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.

Section 102. Reporting requirements

Section 401 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1641) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(d) Report on emergencies

The President shall transmit to Congress, with any proclamation declaring a national emergency under section 201(a) or any Executive order specifying emergency powers or authorities under section 201(b)(2) or renewing a national emergency under section 202(b), a report, in writing, that includes the following:

(1) A description of the circumstances necessitating the declaration of a national emergency, the renewal of such an emergency, or the use of a new emergency authority specified in the Executive order, as the case may be.

(2) The estimated duration of the national emergency, or a statement that the duration of the national emergency cannot reasonably be estimated at the time of transmission of the report.

(3) A summary of the actions the President or other officers intend to take, including any reprogramming or transfer of funds, and the statutory authorities the President and such officers expect to rely on in addressing the national emergency.

(4) In the case of a renewal of a national emergency, a summary of the actions the President or other officers have taken in the preceding 90-day period, including any reprogramming or transfer of funds, to address the emergency.

(e) Provision of information to congress

The President shall provide to Congress such other information as Congress may request in connection with any national emergency in effect under title II.

(f) Periodic reports on status of emergencies

If the President declares a national emergency under section 201(a), the President shall, not less frequently than every 6 months for the duration of the emergency, report to Congress on the status of the emergency and the actions the President or other officers have taken and authorities the President and such officers have relied on in addressing the emergency.

Section 103. Conforming repeal

Title III of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631) is repealed.

(a) In general

This title and the amendments made by this title shall—

(1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2) except as provided in subsection (b), apply with respect to national emergencies declared under section 201 of the National Emergencies Act on or after that date.

(b) Applicability to renewals of existing emergencies

When a national emergency declared under section 201 of the National Emergencies Act before the date of the enactment of this Act would expire or be renewed under section 202(d) of that Act (as in effect on the day before such date of enactment), that national emergency shall be subject to the requirements for renewal under section 202(b) of that Act, as amended by section 101.

(a) In general

Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 606) is amended—

(1) by striking subsections (c) through (g); and

(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (c).

(b) Technical and conforming amendment

Section 309(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(h)) is amended—

(1) by inserting and before (2); and

(2) by striking Act; and all that follows and inserting Act..

(a) Prohibition against use of authorities with respect to United States persons

Section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(1) The authorities granted to the President by section 203 may not be exercised with respect to a United States person.

(2) In this section, the term United States person means—

(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States;

(B) an entity—

(i) organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States; or

(ii) in which more than 50 percent of the controlling interest is owned by a person described in subparagraph (A), (B)(i), or (C); or

(C) any person in the United States.

(b) Exclusion of imposition of duties and import quotas

Section 203 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

(1) The authority granted to the President by this section does not include the authority to impose duties or tariff-rate quotas or (subject to paragraph (2)) other quotas on articles entering the United States.

(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) does not prohibit the President from excluding all articles, or all of a certain type of article, imported from a country from entering the United States.

(a) In general

Chapter 13 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Section 256. Congressional approval requirement

The President may not use authorities described in section 251, 252, or 253 unless Congress first enacts legislation approving such use of authority.

(b) Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 13 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 255 the following new item:

(a) In general

Not later than 3 days after the conclusion of the process for approval, adoption, or revision of any presidential emergency action document, the President shall submit that document to the appropriate congressional committees.

(b) Documents in existence before date of enactment

Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees all presidential emergency action documents in existence before such date of enactment.

(1) Senate

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall have—

(A) continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction in the Senate with respect to the proposal, creation, implementation, and execution of presidential emergency action documents; and

(B) access to any and all presidential emergency action documents.

(2) House of Representatives

The Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives shall have—

(A) continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction in the House of Representatives with respect to the proposal, creation, implementation, and execution of presidential emergency action documents; and

(B) access to any and all presidential emergency action documents.

(3) Duty to cooperate

All officers and employees of any Federal agency shall have the duty to cooperate with the exercise of oversight jurisdiction described in this subsection.

(4) Security clearances

The chairpersons and ranking members of the appropriate congressional committees, and designated staff of those committees, shall be granted all security clearances required to access, and granted access to, presidential emergency action documents, including under relevant Presidential or agency special access and compartmented access programs.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives.

(2) Federal agency

The term Federal agency —

(A) has the meaning given the term agency in section 552(f) of title 5, United States Code; and

(B) includes the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget, and the National Security Council.

(3) Presidential emergency action document

The term presidential emergency action document refers to any document created by any Federal agency before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act, that is—

(A) designated as a presidential emergency action document or presidential emergency action directive;

(B) designed to implement a presidential decision or transmit a presidential request when an emergency disrupts normal executive, legislative, judicial, or other Federal governmental processes;

(C) a Presidential Policy Directive, regardless of whether the directive is available to the public, that triggers any change in policies, procedures, or operations of the Federal Government upon the declaration by the President of an emergency; or

(D) any other document, briefing, or plan, regardless of whether the document, briefing, or plan exists in any tangible or written form, that triggers any change in operations of the Federal Government upon the declaration by the President of an emergency.

(a) Short title

This Act may be cited as the Reforming Emergency Powers to Uphold the Balances and Limitations Inherent in the Constitution Act or the REPUBLIC Act.

(b) Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Section 101. Congressional review of national emergencies

The National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended by inserting after title I the following:

(a) Authority To declare national emergencies

With respect to Acts of Congress authorizing the exercise, during the period of a national emergency, of any special or extraordinary power, the President is authorized to declare such a national emergency by proclamation. Such proclamation shall immediately be transmitted to Congress and published in the Federal Register.

(b) Specification of provisions of law To be exercised

No powers or authorities made available by statute for use during the period of a national emergency shall be exercised unless and until the President specifies the provisions of law under which the President proposes that the President or other officers will act in—

(1) a proclamation declaring a national emergency under subsection (a); or

(2) one or more Executive orders relating to the emergency published in the Federal Register and transmitted to Congress.

(1) Subsequent declarations

If a joint resolution of approval is not enacted under section 203 with respect to a national emergency before the expiration of the 30-day period described in section 202(a), or with respect to a national emergency proposed to be renewed under section 202(b), the President may not, during the remainder of the term of office of that President, declare a subsequent national emergency under subsection (a) with respect to the same circumstances.

(2) Exercise of authorities

If a joint resolution of approval is not enacted under section 203 with respect to a power or authority specified by the President in a proclamation under subsection (a) or an Executive order under subsection (b)(2) with respect to a national emergency, the President may not, during the remainder of the term of office of that President, exercise that power or authority with respect to that emergency.

(d) Effect of future laws

No law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act shall supersede this title unless it does so in specific terms, referring to this title, and declaring that the new law supersedes the provisions of this title.

(1) In general

A declaration of a national emergency shall remain in effect for a period of 30 calendar days from the issuance of the proclamation under section 201(a) (not counting the day on which the proclamation was issued) and shall terminate when such period expires unless there is enacted into law a joint resolution of approval under section 203 with respect to the proclamation.

(2) Exercise of powers and authorities

Any emergency power or authority made available under a provision of law specified pursuant to section 201(b) may be exercised pursuant to a declaration of a national emergency for a period of 30 calendar days from the issuance of the proclamation or Executive order (not counting the day on which such proclamation or Executive order was issued). That power or authority may not be exercised after such period expires unless there is enacted into law a joint resolution of approval under section 203 approving—

(A) the proclamation of the national emergency or the Executive order; and

(B) the exercise of the power or authority specified by the President in such proclamation or Executive order.

(3) Exception if Congress is unable to convene

If Congress is physically unable to convene as a result of an armed attack upon the United States or another national emergency, the 30-day periods described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall begin on the first day Congress convenes for the first time after the attack or other emergency.

(b) Renewal of national emergencies

A national emergency declared by the President under section 201(a) or previously renewed under this subsection, and not already terminated pursuant to subsection (a) or (c), shall terminate on the date that is one year after the President transmitted to Congress the proclamation declaring the emergency or Congress approved a previous renewal pursuant to this subsection, unless—

(1) the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to Congress an Executive order renewing the emergency; and

(2) there is enacted into law a joint resolution of approval renewing the emergency pursuant to section 203 before the termination of the emergency or previous renewal of the emergency.

(1) In general

Any national emergency declared by the President under section 201(a) shall terminate on the earliest of—

(A) the date provided for in subsection (a);

(B) the date provided for in subsection (b);

(C) the date specified in an Act of Congress terminating the emergency; or

(D) the date specified in a proclamation of the President terminating the emergency.

(A) In general

Effective on the date of the termination of a national emergency under paragraph (1)—

(i) except as provided by subparagraph (B), any powers or authorities exercised by reason of the emergency shall cease to be exercised;

(ii) any amounts reprogrammed or transferred under any provision of law with respect to the emergency that remain unobligated on that date shall be returned and made available for the purpose for which such amounts were appropriated; and

(iii) any contracts entered into pursuant to authorities provided as a result of the emergency shall be terminated.

(B) Savings provision

The termination of a national emergency shall not affect—

(i) any legal action taken or pending legal proceeding not finally concluded or determined on the date of the termination under paragraph (1);

(ii) any legal action or legal proceeding based on any act committed prior to that date; or

(iii) any rights or duties that matured or penalties that were incurred prior to that date.

(a) Joint resolution of approval defined

In this section, the term joint resolution of approval means a joint resolution that contains only the following provisions after its resolving clause:

(1) A provision approving—

(A) a proclamation of a national emergency made under section 201(a);

(B) an Executive order issued under section 201(b)(2); or

(C) an Executive order issued under section 202(b).

(2) A provision approving a list of all or a portion of the provisions of law specified by the President under section 201(b) in the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution.

(1) Introduction

After the President transmits to Congress a proclamation declaring a national emergency under section 201(a), or an Executive order specifying emergency powers or authorities under section 201(b)(2) or renewing a national emergency under section 202(b), a joint resolution of approval may be introduced in either House of Congress by any member of that House.

(2) Requests to convene Congress during recesses

If, when the President transmits to Congress a proclamation declaring a national emergency under section 201(a), or an Executive order specifying emergency powers or authorities under section 201(b)(2) or renewing a national emergency under section 202(b), Congress has adjourned sine die or has adjourned for any period in excess of 3 calendar days, the majority leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or their respective designees, acting jointly after consultation with and the concurrence of the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House, shall notify the Members of the Senate and House, respectively, to reassemble at such place and time as they may designate if, in their opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.

(3) Consideration in Senate

In the Senate, the following shall apply:

(A) Reporting and discharge

If the committee to which a joint resolution of approval has been referred has not reported it at the end of 10 calendar days after its introduction, that committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the resolution and it shall be placed on the calendar.

(B) Proceeding to consideration

Notwithstanding Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution of approval is referred has reported the resolution, or when that committee is discharged under subparagraph (A) from further consideration of the resolution, it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion to proceed is subject to 4 hours of debate divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution of approval. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business.

(C) Floor consideration

A joint resolution of approval shall be subject to 10 hours of consideration, to be divided evenly between the proponents and opponents of the resolution.

(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), no amendments shall be in order with respect to a joint resolution of approval.

(ii) Amendments to strike or add specified provisions of law

Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any amendment—

(I) to strike a provision or provisions of law from the list required by subsection (a)(2); or

(II) to add to that list a provision or provisions of law specified by the President under section 201(b) in the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution of approval.

(E) Motion to reconsider final vote

A motion to reconsider a vote on passage of a joint resolution of approval shall not be in order.

(F) Appeals

Points of order, including questions of relevancy, and appeals from the decision of the Presiding Officer, shall be decided without debate.

(4) Consideration in House of Representatives

In the House of Representatives, the following shall apply:

(A) Reporting and discharge

If the committee to which a joint resolution of approval has been referred has not reported it to the House within 10 calendar days after the date of referral, such committee shall be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution.

(i) In general

Beginning on the third legislative day after the committee to which a joint resolution of approval has been referred reports it to the House or has been discharged from further consideration, and except as provided in clause (ii), it shall be in order to move to proceed to consider the joint resolution in the House. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. The motion shall not be debatable. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order.

(ii) Subsequent motions to proceed to joint resolution of approval

A motion to proceed to consider a joint resolution of approval shall not be in order after the House has disposed of another motion to proceed on that resolution.

(C) Floor consideration

Upon adoption of the motion to proceed in accordance with subparagraph (B)(i), the joint resolution of approval shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion except two hours of debate, which shall include debate on any amendments, equally divided and controlled by the sponsor of the joint resolution (or a designee) and an opponent. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint resolution shall not be in order.

(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), no amendments shall be in order with respect to a joint resolution of approval.

(ii) Amendments to strike or add specified provisions of law

Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any amendment—

(I) to strike a provision or provisions of law from the list required by subsection (a)(2); or

(II) to add to that list a provision or provisions of law specified by the President under section 201(b) in the proclamation or Executive order that is the subject of the joint resolution.

(5) Receipt of resolution from other House

If, before passing a joint resolution of approval, one House receives from the other a joint resolution of approval from the other House, then—

(A) the joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee and shall be deemed to have been discharged from committee on the day it is received; and

(B) the procedures set forth in paragraphs (3) and (4), as applicable, shall apply in the receiving House to the joint resolution received from the other House to the same extent as such procedures apply to a joint resolution of the receiving House.

(c) Rule of construction

The enactment of a joint resolution of approval under this section shall not be interpreted to serve as a grant or modification by Congress of statutory authority for the emergency powers of the President.

(d) Rules of the House and Senate

This section is enacted by Congress—

(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the House in the case of joint resolutions described in this section, and supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such other rules; and

(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.

Section 204. Applicability

This title shall apply to a national emergency pursuant to which the President proposes to exercise emergency powers or authorities made available under any provision of law that is not a provision of law described in section 604(a).

Section 102. Reporting requirements

Section 401 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1641) is amended—

(1) in subsection (c)—

(A) in the first sentence by inserting, and make publicly available after transmit to Congress; and

(B) in the second sentence by inserting, and make publicly available, before a final report; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

(d) Report on emergencies

The President shall transmit to the entities described in subsection (g), with any proclamation declaring a national emergency under section 201(a) or any Executive order specifying emergency powers or authorities under section 201(b)(2) or renewing a national emergency under section 202(b), a report, in writing, that includes the following:

(1) A description of the circumstances necessitating the declaration of a national emergency, the renewal of such an emergency, or the use of a new emergency authority specified in the Executive order, as the case may be.

(2) The estimated duration of the national emergency, or a statement that the duration of the national emergency cannot reasonably be estimated at the time of transmission of the report.

(3) A summary of the actions the President or other officers intend to take, including any reprogramming or transfer of funds, and the statutory authorities the President and such officers expect to rely on in addressing the national emergency.

(4) The total expenditures estimated to be incurred by the United States Government during such six-month period which are directly attributable to the exercise of powers and authorities conferred by such declaration.

(5) In the case of a renewal of a national emergency, a summary of the actions the President or other officers have taken in the preceding one-year period, including any reprogramming or transfer of funds, to address the emergency.

(e) Provision of information to congress

The President shall provide to the entities described in subsection (g) such other information as such entities may request in connection with any national emergency in effect under title II.

(f) Periodic reports on status of emergencies

If the President declares a national emergency under section 201(a), the President shall, not less frequently than every 6 months for the duration of the emergency, report to the entities described in subsection (g) on the status of the emergency, the total expenditures incurred by the United States Government, and the actions the President or other officers have taken and authorities the President and such officers have relied on in addressing the emergency.

(g) Entities described

The entities described in this subsection are—

(1) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and

(4) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

(a) In general

The National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), as amended by this title, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(a) In general

This title shall apply to a national emergency pursuant to which the President proposes to exercise emergency powers or authorities made available under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

(b) Effect of additional powers and authorities

This title shall not apply to a national emergency or the exercise of emergency powers and authorities pursuant to the national emergency if, in addition to the exercise of emergency powers and authorities described in subsection (a), the President proposes to exercise, pursuant to the national emergency, any emergency powers and authorities under any other provision of law.

(b) Transfer

Sections 201, 202, and 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), as such sections appeared on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, are—

(1) transferred to title VI of such Act (as added by subsection (a));

(2) inserted before section 604 of such title (as added by subsection (a)); and

(3) redesignated as sections 601, 602, and 603, respectively.

(c) Conforming amendment

Title II of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), as such title appeared the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, is amended by striking the heading for such title.

(a) National Emergencies Act

Title III of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631) is repealed.

(b) International emergency economic powers act

Section 207(b) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1706) is amended by striking concurrent resolution each place it appears and inserting joint resolution.

(a) In general

This title and the amendments made by this title shall—

(1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2) except as provided in subsection (b), apply with respect to national emergencies declared under section 201 of the National Emergencies Act on or after such date.

(b) Applicability to renewals of existing emergencies

With respect to a national emergency declared under section 201 of the National Emergencies Act before the date of the enactment of this Act that would expire or be renewed under section 202(d) of that Act (as in effect on the day before such date of enactment), that national emergency shall be subject to the requirements for renewal under section 202(b) of that Act, as amended by section 101.

(c) Supersession

This title and the amendments made by this title shall supersede title II of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) as such title was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.

Section 201. Protections for United States persons with respect to use of authorities under International Emergency Economic Powers Act

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 203 the following:

(1) In general

Except as provided by paragraph (2) and in accordance with this section, no authority provided under section 203 may be exercised to target a United States person.

(2) Exception for issuance of general licenses

An authority provided under section 203 may be exercised to target a United States person if the President has, before using the authority, issued a general license that ensures that the United States person has sufficient access to the necessities of life, including food, nutritional support, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation, medicine, health care and other vital services, and gainful employment where necessary to provide the United States person a means for subsistence.

(A) In general

When taking an action pursuant to authority provided by section 203 to target a United States person, the President shall—

(i) provide contemporaneous notice of the action to the United States person;

(ii) not later than one week after taking the action, provide the United States person with the record on which the decision to take the action was based, including an unclassified summary, or a redacted version, of any classified information that provides the United States person with substantially the same ability to respond to that information as the classified information;

(iii) provide the United States person with the opportunity to request review of the decision and to submit information in support of that request;

(iv) provide the United States person with the opportunity for an administrative hearing not later than 90 days after requesting a review under clause (iii), unless the United States person agrees to a longer period; and

(v) render a written decision on a request for review under clause (iii) not later than 90 days after the hearing under clause (iv), or, if no such hearing is requested, not later than 90 days after the later of—

(I) the request for review; or

(II) the submission of information in support of that request.

(B) Failure to render timely decision

Failure to render a decision within the time frame specified in subparagraph (A)(v) shall be considered an agency action for purposes of section 702 of title 5, United States Code.

(1) In general

When taking an action pursuant to authority provided by section 203 to target a United States person, the President may not block or otherwise prevent the access of the United States person to property in which the United States person has an ownership interest except pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a court-martial or other proceeding under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code), issued under section 846 of title 10, United States Code (article 46 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President) by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(2) Delayed warrants

To the extent consistent with the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, a court shall permit the temporary blocking of property under section 203 without a warrant on an emergency basis, or use other means lawfully available to the court, to enable the Federal Government to identify the property that is subject to blocking while reducing the risk of property flight.

(1) In general

A United States person that is the target of an action taken by the President pursuant to any authority provided under section 203 may bring an action in a United States court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of any available administrative remedies, to obtain judicial review of the lawfulness of that action, including whether the action was authorized by the Executive order or orders specifying the measures to be taken under section 203 in response to a determination issued under section 202.

(2) Conduct of review

In an action brought under paragraph (1)—

(A) the review of the court shall be de novo;

(B) any party may introduce evidence not included in the administrative record;

(C) any administrative record or portions thereof may be entered into evidence, and questions of authentication or hearsay shall bear on the weight to be accorded the evidence rather than its admissibility;

(D) classified information shall be handled in accordance with the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.), except that references to the defendant in such Act shall be deemed to apply to the plaintiff; and

(E) the court shall have the authority to order injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorneys’ fees.

(3) Other means of review

The availability of judicial review under this subsection shall not preclude other available means of judicial review, including under section 702 of title 5, United States Code, except that a person may not exercise the right to judicial review under more than one provision of law.

(d) United States person defined

In this section, the term United States person means—

(1) a United States national; or

(2) an entity—

(A) organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States; and

(B) in which more than 50 percent of the controlling interest is owned by a person described in paragraph (1).

Section 202. Exclusion of authority to impose duties and import quotas from International Emergency Economic Powers Act

Section 203 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

(1) The authority granted to the President by this section does not include the authority to impose duties or tariff-rate quotas or (subject to paragraph (2)) other quotas on articles entering the United States.

(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) does not prohibit the President from excluding all articles, or all of a certain type of article, imported from a country from entering the United States.

(a) In general

Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 606) is amended—

(1) by striking subsections (c) through (g); and

(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (c).

(b) Technical and conforming amendment

Section 309(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(h)) is amended—

(1) by inserting and before (2); and

(2) by striking Act; and all that follows and inserting Act..

(a) In general

Not later than 3 days after the conclusion of the process for approval, adoption, or revision of any presidential emergency action document, the President shall submit that document to the appropriate congressional committees.

(b) Documents in existence before date of enactment

Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees all presidential emergency action documents in existence before such date of enactment.

(1) Senate

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall have—

(A) continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction in the Senate with respect to the proposal, creation, implementation, and execution of presidential emergency action documents; and

(B) access to any and all presidential emergency action documents.

(2) House of Representatives

The Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives shall have—

(A) continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction in the House of Representatives with respect to the proposal, creation, implementation, and execution of presidential emergency action documents; and

(B) access to any and all presidential emergency action documents.

(3) Duty to cooperate

All officers and employees of any Federal agency shall have the duty to cooperate with the exercise of oversight jurisdiction described in this subsection.

(4) Security clearances

The chairpersons and ranking members of the appropriate congressional committees, and designated staff of those committees, shall be granted all security clearances required to access, and granted access to, presidential emergency action documents, including under relevant Presidential or agency special access and compartmented access programs.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives.

(2) Federal agency

The term Federal agency —

(A) has the meaning given the term agency in section 552(f) of title 5, United States Code; and

(B) includes the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget, and the National Security Council.

(3) Presidential emergency action document

The term presidential emergency action document refers to any document created by any Federal agency before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act, that is—

(A) designated as a presidential emergency action document or presidential emergency action directive;

(B) designed to implement a presidential decision or transmit a presidential request when an emergency disrupts normal executive, legislative, judicial, or other Federal governmental processes;

(C) a Presidential Policy Directive, regardless of whether the directive is available to the public, that triggers any change in policies, procedures, or operations of the Federal Government upon the declaration by the President of an emergency; or

(D) any other document, briefing, or plan, regardless of whether the document, briefing, or plan exists in any tangible or written form, that triggers any change in operations of the Federal Government upon the declaration by the President of an emergency.

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