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FEDERALhearing transcript

Hearing on the National Emergencies Act

Original title: NEVER-ENDING EMERGENCIES--AN EXAMINATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCIES ACT

January 1, 2023

National Emergencies ActPresidential PowersCongressional OversightGovernment Accountability

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing explores whether current laws governing presidential emergency powers provide sufficient checks and balances, which directly impacts the extent of executive authority during national crises.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Congress

Legislators are evaluating their role in overseeing and potentially limiting executive emergency powers.

President of the United States

The office holds the authority granted by the National Emergencies Act, which is the subject of potential reform.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing on May 24, 2023, to examine the . The hearing focused on the history of the act, the scope of presidential powers triggered by emergency declarations, and potential reforms to improve .

Why It Matters

This hearing explores whether current laws governing presidential emergency powers provide sufficient checks and balances, which directly impacts the extent of executive authority during national crises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Emergencies Act?
It is a federal law (P.L. 94-412) that establishes the procedures for the President to declare a national emergency and outlines the powers that become available upon such a declaration.
Why was this hearing held?
To review how the law is currently used and to discuss whether Congress needs to change the law to better oversee the President's emergency powers.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on May 24, 2023, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
  • The purpose was to examine the intent and application of the National Emergencies Act (P.L. 94-412).
  • The committee sought to determine if reforms are necessary to improve oversight and accountability of presidential emergency powers.
  • Testimony was provided by experts from the Niskanen Center, Arnold & Porter, and the Brennan Center for Justice.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Emergency Power Reform

The committee is actively investigating the long-term use of emergency declarations, suggesting a potential legislative push to constrain executive authority.

National Emergencies Act

Connected Entities

personElizabeth Goitein“Senior Director at the Brennan Center for Justice; witness.”Map →
personSatya Thallam“Policy Advisor at Arnold & Porter; witness.”Map →
organizationSubcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management“The committee hosting the hearing.”Map →
personSoren Dayton“Director of Governance at the Niskanen Center; witness.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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