# Plain Language Summary: Limiting Emergency Powers Act of 2025

Right now, when the President declares a national emergency, it can stay in effect for a very long time without Congress having much say in the matter. This bill changes that by putting a 30-day clock on emergency declarations. Once the President declares an emergency, Congress has 30 days to vote on whether to approve it. If Congress doesn't pass a joint resolution (a formal agreement between the House and Senate) approving the emergency within those 30 days, the emergency automatically ends. This means the President can't just declare an emergency and have it continue indefinitely without getting Congress's approval.

If Congress does approve the emergency within those 30 days, it can continue for up to two years. After two years, the President would need to renew it, and Congress would have to approve the renewal again using the same 30-day process. This creates a built-in requirement for Congress to regularly check in on whether the emergency is still necessary. The President can also end an emergency at any time by issuing a proclamation, and Congress can terminate an emergency at any time by passing a joint resolution.

When an emergency ends—whether because Congress didn't approve it, Congress voted to end it, or the President ended it—any money that was moved around for the emergency gets returned to where it came from, and construction projects started under emergency powers get shut down unless work had already begun. This prevents the government from using emergency powers to permanently redirect funds or complete projects without ongoing congressional approval.

For emergencies that were already declared before this law passes, they would get two years from when this bill becomes law to continue, then they'd need to go through the same renewal process as new emergencies. Essentially, this bill shifts the balance of power by requiring Congress to actively approve emergency declarations rather than allowing them to continue by default.

Limiting Emergency Powers Act of 2025

Biggs, Andy

Limiting Emergency Powers Act of 2025This bill terminates&nbsp;any national emergency declared by the President 30 days after the declaration unless a joint resolution affirming the declaration is enacted. All national emergency declarations expire after two years&nbsp;unless the President requests a renewal and a joint resolution affirming the renewal is enacted.