48 Emergencies. 136 Powers. Zero Expirations.
48 national emergencies are currently active under the National Emergencies Act. The oldest was declared by President Carter on November 14, 1979, to freeze Iranian government assets after the Tehran embassy seizure. It has been renewed 46 times. Congress has never terminated a single national emergency through its own authority.
48 active emergencies. 136 statutory powers unlocked. 11 declared by the current president. The oldest dates to 1979. Congress has never terminated one. Reform legislation passed committee unanimously.
These declarations unlock 136 statutory authorities. Of those, 96 require only the president’s signature. Powers include freezing foreign assets, blocking financial transactions, redirecting military construction funds, suspending chemical and biological weapons testing restrictions, and taking over radio stations.
11 From One President
The current administration has declared nine new national emergencies since January 2025, covering energy production, trade and tariffs, immigration, fentanyl and cartels, and foreign relations. Combined with two still active from his first term, the president is responsible for 11 of the 48 active emergencies.
The Supreme Court struck down the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs in February 2026 in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, establishing that emergency trade powers have limits. But most emergency declarations remain unchallenged.
The Fix Passed Committee Unanimously
The ARTICLE ONE Act, introduced by Rep. Roy and Rep. Cohen in the House and Sen. Lee and Sen. Blumenthal in the Senate, would require emergencies to expire after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. Renewals would require annual congressional approval. The bill passed the House Transportation Committee by unanimous voice vote and the Senate HSGAC 13-1.
The National Emergencies Reform Act of 2025 (HR 3908) takes a similar approach, requiring congressional approval and imposing a five-year termination date.
Both bills have committee support. Neither has received a floor vote.
What you can do now
- Call both senators and ask them to bring the ARTICLE ONE Act to a floor vote. It passed the Senate HSGAC 13-1 and would require emergencies to expire after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. 48 emergencies are active right now. The oldest dates to 1979. Congress has never terminated one. Use Resist Bot to send your message.
- Contact your House representative and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 3908, the National Emergencies Reform Act of 2025, which requires congressional approval and imposes a five-year termination date. The bill passed the House Transportation Committee by unanimous voice vote. It needs a floor vote.
- Ask your senators specifically whether they support allowing one president to hold 11 of 48 active emergencies, each unlocking some of 136 statutory powers. 96 of those powers require only the president’s signature. The Supreme Court already struck down one use of emergency trade powers in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. Congress should not wait for courts to do its job.
- Find your full delegation at your state page and tell them that emergency powers reform has bipartisan support from Rep. Roy, Rep. Cohen, Sen. Lee, and Sen. Blumenthal. The only thing missing is a floor vote.