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Congressman Biggs Introduces the Limiting Emergency Powers Act

March 13, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced the Limiting Emergency Powers Act, which would prospectively restore the primacy of Congress in defining national emergencies. Under this bill, an emergency declared by the President would expire in 30 days unless Congress votes to approve it. Also, all existing emergency declarations would expire after two years unless the President requests a renewal that receives congressional approval. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

"I fully support President Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. However, Congress has long surrendered too much of its constitutional authority to the Executive and Judicial branches. That is not what our founders intended. For decades, Members of Congress have looked the other way as Presidents from both parties have unilaterally declared national emergency after national emergency. There is still an ongoing national emergency from former President Carter in 1979. The faux outrage from many over President Trump's current declaration is not consistent with congressional policy or previous acceptance.

"Nevertheless, Congress must reclaim this critical check on the power of the executive branch. We should all agree that this power should be returned to Congress under our Constitution after we have addressed the emergency on the border. This is how our founders designed it. I look forward to raising support for my bill among my colleagues and helping Congress take back its Article I authority."

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.