WASHINGTON DC (March 12, 2019) – US Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley of Iowa joined Sen Mike Lee of Utah to introduce the Article One Act today, a bill that would take back significant legislative powers given to the executive branch by the National Emergencies Act of 1976 (NEA).
Specifically, the bill would automatically end all future emergency declarations made pursuant to the NEA after 30 days unless Congress voted affirmatively to extend the emergency. Currently Congress can cancel an emergency declaration only by passing a resolution that can withstand a presidential veto.
“For decades, Congress has ceded too much power to the executive branch of government. In 1976, Congress gave the president the authority to declare national emergencies, so we shouldn’t be surprised when he seeks to use it, just as others have done. The Article One Act returns more power to the people’s representatives in Congress by requiring swift approval of such declarations. I encourage my colleagues to join in this effort, which takes real action, as opposed to symbolic show votes that don’t address the root of the problem,” Sen Grassley said.
The bill’s full name is the “Assuring That Robust, Thorough, and Informed Congressional Leadership is Exercised over National Emergencies Act”.
