Search Results: keywords:"checks and balances"

  • S. 192 — To restrict the first-use strike of nuclear weapons.
    Status:Introduced in Senate
    Words:691

    S. 192 aims to restrict the first-use of nuclear weapons by the United States. The bill emphasizes that Congress has the sole authority to declare war, and therefore, a nuclear strike should not be conducted unless Congress has declared a war that specifically authorizes such...

    Simple Explanation

    The bill is about making sure that the United States can't use nuclear weapons first without Congress saying it's okay, so the President can't just decide to do it alone. It wants to make sure that only if Congress agrees to a war that includes using those powerful bombs can they be used, keeping things fair and safe.

  • H. R. 9011 — To amend the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 to extend and modify the lend-lease authority, and for other purposes.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:493

    H. R. 9011 proposes changes to the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 to extend its authority and make some modifications. The bill would allow the lend-lease authority, which facilitates the loan or lease of defense articles to the Government of Ukraine, to...

    Simple Explanation

    The bill wants to keep helping Ukraine by lending or leasing them military equipment until 2026, instead of stopping in 2023, and asks for reports on what is loaned and when it will be returned.

  • H. J. RES. 193 — Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing that there is no immunity from criminal prosecution for an act on the grounds that such act was within the constitutional authority or official duties of an individual, and providing that the President may not grant a pardon to himself or herself.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:641

    H. J. RES. 193 proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ensure that no government officer, including the President, Vice President, Senators, or Representatives, is immune from criminal prosecution for acts deemed to be part of their official duties. It also states...

    Simple Explanation

    This bill wants to make sure that important government people, like the President, can't escape from getting in trouble if they do something bad just because of their job. It also says the President can't forgive themselves if they break a law.

  • S. 4973 — To reassert the constitutional authority of Congress to determine the general applicability of the criminal laws of the United States, and for other purposes.
    Status:Placed on Calendar Senate
    Words:2,193

    S. 4973, also known as the “No Kings Act,” aims to clarify that no U.S. President or Vice President, current or former, is above the law and should not be immune from criminal prosecution unless Congress specifically grants such immunity. The bill asserts the authority of...

    Simple Explanation

    S. 4973, called the “No Kings Act,” is a rule that says even the President or Vice President must follow the law like everyone else and can be punished if they break it. It also tries to make sure the courts don't stop these punishments without a good reason.

  • H. R. 115 — An Act To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for midnight rules, and for other purposes.
    Status:Engrossed in House
    Words:404

    H.R. 115, known as the "Midnight Rules Relief Act," aims to change how Congress can disapprove new rules made by federal agencies at the end of a President's term, commonly known as “midnight rules.” The bill would allow multiple rules to be disapproved in one vote, rather...

    Simple Explanation

    H.R. 115 is a bill that lets Congress say "no" to a bunch of new rules made at the end of a President's time in office all at once, instead of one-by-one. This makes it easier and faster for them to stop these last-minute changes.

  • H. J. RES. 8 — Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide certain line item veto authority to the President.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:334

    H. J. RES. 8 proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow the President to have certain line item veto authority. This means the President could choose to reduce specific appropriations in a bill or joint resolution, making it law with those reductions. If...

    Simple Explanation

    The bill suggests changing the rules so that the President can pick and choose parts of a money plan from Congress to cross out, like selectively erasing some items from a shopping list, but if enough Congress members disagree, they can put those items back.

  • H. R. 7737 — To transfer antitrust enforcement from the Federal Trade Commission to the Attorney General, and for other purposes.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:3,017

    The bill, titled the "One Agency Act," proposes to transfer the enforcement of antitrust laws from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the Attorney General. It argues that this would make antitrust enforcement more efficient by eliminating duplication and reducing confusion for businesses...

    Simple Explanation

    The bill wants to give all the job of checking if companies are being fair from one group, called the FTC, to another group, called the Attorney General. The idea is to have only one group do this work, so there isn't any mix-up or extra work.

  • H. RES. 188 — Affirming the obligation of the President of the United States to comply with court orders.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:264

    H. RES. 188 is a resolution from the House of Representatives that emphasizes the President of the United States' obligation to obey court orders. It cites multiple instances where court orders were issued to prevent actions by President Donald J. Trump, such as denying...

    Simple Explanation

    This is a special paper from the House of Representatives that says the President has to follow the rules set by judges, just like everyone else. It's important because it makes sure no one, not even the President, is above the law.

  • S. 5211 — To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to modify the Presidential drawdown authority, and for other purposes.
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    Status:Introduced in Senate
    Words:1,776

    S. 5211, known as the “Safeguarding Our Stockpiles Act,” aims to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to change how the President can use military resources in emergencies. The bill requires the President to report to Congress when directing the drawdown of defense...

    Simple Explanation

    This bill is like a new rule that says the President has to ask special permission from Congress to use a lot of military resources or money to help other countries during emergencies, and only for a short time unless Congress agrees.

  • H. R. 10143 — To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to transfer certain amounts to the Disaster Relief Fund.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:266

    H. R. 10143 aims to instruct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to move any remaining, unspent funds from COVID-19 relief that were allocated to FEMA over to the Disaster Relief Fund. The bill also allows the Administrator to redirect any...

    Simple Explanation

    In simple terms, H. R. 10143 lets the leader of FEMA take leftover money that was supposed to be used for COVID-19 and put it into a fund for disasters, like hurricanes or earthquakes. The leader can also move other money that's not needed anymore to help pay for fixing these disasters.

  • S. J. RES. 108 — Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to reaffirm the principle that no person is above the law.
    Status:Introduced in Senate
    Words:466

    S. J. RES. 108 proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to emphasize that no one, including high-ranking officials like the President and Vice President, is above the law. It asserts that all individuals in authority are accountable for their actions, whether official...

    Simple Explanation

    This bill wants to make sure that everyone, even the President, must follow the same rules as everyone else and can get in trouble if they don't. It also lets Congress make rules to help make sure this happens.

  • H. R. 669 — To restrict the first-use strike of nuclear weapons.
    Status:Introduced in House
    Words:765

    The bill H.R. 669 aims to restrict the President's ability to use nuclear weapons without Congressional approval. It states that a "first-use" nuclear strike, which means attacking with nuclear weapons before an enemy has used them, can only occur if Congress has officially...

    Simple Explanation

    The bill H.R. 669 is like a rule saying the President can't press the "nuclear button" first without getting a big "yes" from Congress. This means Congress has to say, "It's okay to use nuclear weapons first," and this helps make sure everyone agrees before using something really powerful.