119-HJRES-72 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HJRES 72 Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025.
H.J.Res. 72 would end the national emergency President Trump declared on February 1, 2025 (Executive Order 14193). That emergency underpins some trade and tariff actions, so terminating it could limit or unwind those tools; the measure is sponsored by House Democrats and, as of February 11, 2026, remains in committee. (congress.gov)
Public Summary: 119-HJRES-72
Headline Summary: End the February 1, 2025 national emergency that the President declared under Executive Order 14193. (congress.gov)
What It Does: The resolution would terminate the President’s national emergency from February 1, 2025. That emergency is the legal foundation for using emergency economic powers—such as imposing or adjusting certain trade measures—linked to curbing illicit drugs at the northern border; ending it could restrict or unwind actions taken under that authority. (congress.gov)
Why It Matters: The emergency has been cited by the White House as the backdrop for tariff-related steps and changes to de minimis import treatment. Rolling it back could change how— and how quickly—those trade tools are used. (whitehouse.gov)
- Who’s For It: House Democrats led by Rep. Gregory Meeks and co-sponsors (including Reps. Neal, Larsen, DelBene, Stanton, and Castro) filed the measure; backers generally argue Congress should reassert control over emergency powers and object to the tariff regime built on this emergency. (congress.gov)
- Other supporters: Lawmakers and groups wary of broad executive trade actions; they contend the emergency has been used to sidestep regular trade and foreign-affairs processes. (rollcall.com)
- Who’s Against It: Supporters of the President’s strategy to keep emergency authorities in place, arguing they’re needed to combat fentanyl and other illicit drugs and to pressure Canada to act—rationales cited in the order. (whitehouse.gov)
- House majority tactics have, at times, slowed or blocked fast-track votes to end these emergencies, signaling resistance to termination. (rules.house.gov)
What’s Next: As of February 11, 2026, Congress’s official tracker shows H.J.Res. 72 is still in the House Foreign Affairs Committee with no recorded floor vote. Separately, House rules actions in 2025 paused the National Emergencies Act’s “calendar day” clock, which can delay forced votes on such termination resolutions. Future movement will depend on committee action or House leadership scheduling. (congress.gov)
Discussion