ARTICLE ONE Act

The "ARTICLE ONE Act" fundamentally revises the National Emergencies Act, aiming to increase congressional oversight over presidential emergency powers. It establishes a new framework where a presidential declaration of a national emergency, and the specific statutory powers invoked, are only effective for a temporary period of 30 days. For the emergency or its powers to continue beyond this initial period, Congress must enact a joint resolution of approval . If Congress fails to approve an emergency or specific powers within the 30-day window, the President is prohibited from declaring a similar emergency or exercising those specific powers for the remainder of their term concerning the same circumstances. Furthermore, any national emergency declared under this new framework will automatically terminate after one year unless both the President issues an Executive order renewing it and Congress passes a joint resolution of approval for that renewal. The bill also significantly enhances transparency and reporting requirements, mandating that the President transmit and publicly make available detailed reports to Congress. These reports, required upon declaration, renewal, or specification of new emergency authorities, must include the circumstances necessitating the emergency, its estimated duration, intended actions, statutory authorities, and estimated expenditures. For renewals, a summary of actions taken in the preceding year is also required, with periodic updates every six months to key congressional leaders and committees. Notably, the new congressional approval requirements generally do not apply to national emergencies declared solely under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, if an emergency invokes IEEPA powers alongside other statutory authorities, then the congressional approval process outlined in this bill would apply, ensuring broader legislative review. This legislation aims to shift the balance of power, reinforcing Congress's constitutional role in authorizing and overseeing the executive branch's use of extraordinary emergency powers.