ARTICLE ONE Act

Key Points

• The bill would end the current system where a president can declare a national emergency and keep using special powers indefinitely with little pushback from Congress.
• Even approved emergencies would not last forever. The president would have to get Congress to formally renew them every single year or the powers automatically end.
• Presidents would have to send Congress a detailed written report every time they declare or renew an emergency, spelling out the cost and the specific actions planned.
• If Congress refuses to approve an emergency, the president cannot simply re-declare it for the same reason later in their term, closing a loophole that could otherwise be used to bypass a congressional 'no' vote.
• The bill sets fast-track rules forcing committees and floor votes to happen quickly, so a real crisis is not left in limbo while Congress debates procedure.
• Emergencies declared under economic sanctions law (IEEPA), which are often used for tariffs and trade sanctions, are carved out and would keep operating under the older, looser rules instead of the new 30-day/annual approval system.