The National Emergencies Reform Act of 2025 seeks to significantly strengthen congressional checks and balances over presidential declarations and use of national emergency powers. It mandates that the President must specify the statutory provisions under which emergency powers will be exercised upon declaration. Crucially, both the initial declaration of a national emergency and any subsequent renewals require explicit **congressional approval** through a joint resolution to remain in effect.

Initial emergency declarations would be temporary, lasting only 20 legislative or session days without congressional approval. Renewals are limited to one year and also require congressional approval. The bill establishes a **hard termination date** for all national emergencies, automatically ending them after five years, with existing emergencies subject to termination within two to five years. Upon termination, all emergency powers cease, unobligated funds revert to their original purpose, and related contracts are terminated.

The legislation imposes new limitations, stipulating that emergency powers must directly relate to and address the specific emergency. It explicitly prohibits the use of emergency authority to fund or authorize programs for which Congress has previously withheld funding or authorization. However, certain national emergencies primarily invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are largely exempt from these new requirements, unless other non-IEEPA emergency powers are also utilized.

To facilitate congressional oversight, the bill establishes **expedited procedures** for Congress to consider joint resolutions of approval or termination. These procedures include automatic committee discharge, limited debate, and a prohibition on amendments in both the House and Senate, ensuring timely votes. This aims to prevent legislative inaction from allowing emergencies to persist without explicit congressional consent.

Finally, the Act enhances transparency by requiring the President to provide detailed reports to Congress for all emergency declarations, renewals, and ongoing emergency activities, including estimated durations and planned actions. It also mandates comprehensive budget reporting on all emergency spending, including any transfers or reprogramming of funds. Furthermore, the President must disclose all existing and future "presidential emergency action documents" to relevant congressional committees, and the bill repeals the "Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism" designation, requiring explicit congressional designation for emergency funding.