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Legislators

Gosar's Victory: House and Senate End Presidential COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09) has been a vocal critic of the COVID-19 national emergency declaration, which he believes has been misused by the executive branch. After the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res 7 on February 1, 2023, the Senate followed suit, ending the declaration and its associated powers. Gosar had introduced the legislation, which aims to terminate the COVID-19 national emergency declaration and prevent further abuses of executive authority. The move is seen as a significant victory for Congressional oversight and a check on presidential power.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 national emergency declaration, which was first introduced by President Trump in March 2020, has been terminated by the Senate following the House of Representatives' passage of H.J. Res 7 on February 1, 2023.
  • The legislation, introduced by Congressman Gosar, aims to end the COVID-19 national emergency declaration and prevent further abuses of executive authority.
  • The National Emergencies Act requires Congress to review termination of national emergencies, and Congressman Gosar has introduced multiple resolutions to require Congress to debate the merits of the continued emergency declaration.
  • Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked debate on the resolution, but under the new Republican majority, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Gosar's bill, H.J.Res 7, and it was sent to the Senate for consideration.
  • The termination of the COVID-19 national emergency declaration will also allow Republicans in Congress to claw back billions of dollars that were moved around under the guise of a pandemic and put towards strengthening Social Security.

Statistics:

  • 120 presidential authorities were provided under the COVID-19 national emergency declaration.
  • The legislation passed by the House and Senate aims to prevent further abuses of executive authority.
  • Congressman Gosar has introduced a total of 3 resolutions to require Congress to debate the merits of the continued emergency declaration.
  • The National Emergencies Act requires Congress to meet every 6 months to consider a resolution of termination.
  • H.J.Res 7 was passed by the House of Representatives on February 1, 2023, and by the Senate shortly after.

Sources:

  • Office of U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09)
  • National Emergencies Act (NEA), 1974
  • Congressional Record, March 13, 2020 (statement by President Trump)
  • CDC guidelines, 2020-2021 (preliminary data on COVID-19 risk groups)
  • Statement by Congressman Gosar on February 1, 2023 (video recording)
  • House of Representatives press release, February 1, 2023 (H.J.Res 7 passage)

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