A joint resolution requiring the advice and consent of the Senate or an Act of Congress to suspend, terminate, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty and authorizing related litigation, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (17 Dec 2019): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335.
What this bill does
This joint resolution, S.J.Res. 4, would require the approval of either the Senate (by a two-thirds vote) or a separate Act of Congress before the President could suspend, terminate, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty. It also prohibits the use of funds to support such actions unless Congress approves them. Additionally, it mandates that Congress be notified within 48 hours of any effort to take such steps.
The resolution specifically empowers the Senate Legal Counsel and the General Counsel to the House of Representatives to represent Congress in court to oppose any actions to withdraw from the treaty that do not follow the requirements of this resolution. The legal counsel would also be required to report on any such legal proceedings to relevant congressional committees.
S.J.Res. 4 was introduced in the Senate in January 2019 and was ordered reported with an amendment by the Committee on Foreign Relations in December 2019. As it was introduced in a previous session of Congress and ordered reported, it would need to be considered and voted on by the full Senate and then passed by the House of Representatives to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This joint resolution requires either the advice and consent of the Senate or an act of Congress before the President may suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty. No funds shall be authorized or appropriated to support any efforts to suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw from the treaty without the approval of both the Senate and the House of Representatives by a two-thirds vote or an act of Congress.
The President shall notify Congress in writing of any effort to suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw from the treaty no later than 48 hours after such action.
This joint resolution also authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel and the General Counsel of the House of Representatives to represent Congress in judicial proceedings related to actions that are inconsistent with this resolution.
Timeline
17 Dec 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335.
Common questions
- What does S.J.Res. 4 do?
- This joint resolution, S.J.Res. 4, would require the approval of either the Senate (by a two-thirds vote) or a separate Act of Congress before the President could suspend, terminate, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty. It also prohibits the use of funds to support such actions unless Congress approves them. Additionally, it mandates that Congress be notified within 48 hours of any effort to take such steps. The resolution specifically empowers the Senate Legal Counsel and the General Counsel to the House of Representatives to represent Congress in court to oppose any actions to withdraw from the treaty that do not follow the requirements of this resolution. The legal counsel would also be required to report on any such legal proceedings to relevant congressional committees. S.J.Res. 4 was introduced in the Senate in January 2019 and was ordered reported with an amendment by the Committee on Foreign Relations in December 2019. As it was introduced in a previous session of Congress and ordered reported, it would need to be considered and voted on by the full Senate and then passed by the House of Representatives to become law.
- Has S.J.Res. 4 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S.J.Res. 4. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S.J.Res. 4?
- S.J.Res. 4 was sponsored by Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA), with 21 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S.J.Res. 4?
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335. (17 Dec 2019).
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