HRES-1042 : Still Just a Bill

This House Resolution, H. Res. 1042, sets forth the procedural rules for the House of Representatives to consider three specific bills and includes a provision regarding the National Emergencies Act. The key provisions are:

• Consideration of H.R. 2189: This resolution provides for the consideration of H.R. 2189, titled "to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes." It waives all points of order against the bill's consideration, adopts a substitute amendment (Rules Committee Print 119-18), allows one hour of debate equally divided between the Committees on the Judiciary and Ways and Means, and permits one motion to recommit.
• Consideration of H.R. 261: The resolution also provides for the consideration of H.R. 261, titled "to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency." It waives all points of order against the bill's consideration, adopts a substitute amendment recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources, allows one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Committee on Natural Resources, and permits one motion to recommit.
• Consideration of H.R. 3617: This resolution provides for the consideration of H.R. 3617, titled "to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes." It waives all points of order against the bill's consideration, adopts a substitute amendment recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, allows one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and permits one motion to recommit.
• National Emergencies Act Provision: Section 4 of the resolution stipulates that the period from February 10, 2026, through July 31, 2026, shall not count as "calendar days" for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622). This applies specifically to joint resolutions aimed at terminating national emergencies declared by the President on February 1, 2025, April 2, 2025, July 30, 2025, or August 6, 2025. This provision effectively extends the timeframe for Congressional review of these specific emergency declarations.