This bill requires Congress to approve and regularly renew public health emergency declarations made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Under current law, the Secretary can declare and maintain emergencies largely unilaterally, but this legislation would require Congress to pass a joint resolution to approve any initial declaration and to renew it annually, with initial declarations expiring after 90 days unless renewed. The bill affects the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress, establishing strict procedures for how emergencies can be declared, reported on, and extended, including mandatory congressional updates every 90 days. The legislation also includes provisions requiring the Secretary to end all emergency authorities when a declaration terminates and to return any unobligated emergency funds. The bill would apply immediately upon enactment, though any public health emergencies already in effect would be given until one year after enactment to comply with the new congressional approval process.
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