On Emergency Powers
90 days maximum. 70% Congressional approval to renew. Automatic sunset.
"No emergency declaration shall remain in effect for more than ninety days unless renewed by a vote of seventy percent of both Houses of Congress. All emergency measures shall automatically sunset upon expiration of the emergency declaration. No emergency power shall authorize the suspension of any right enumerated in Article II."
— Constitution of the United States, Version 2.0, Article IV, Section 4
⚠️ Emergencies Are Where Liberty Dies
Throughout history, "temporary" emergency powers have become permanent tyranny. The Roman Republic fell when the Senate gave Caesar "emergency" authority. The Weimar Republic's emergency provisions enabled Hitler. Every dictator claims necessity.
The Problem
The United States currently has dozens of active national emergencies, some dating back decades. Presidents declare emergencies to bypass Congress. The "emergency" never ends.
Examples of abuse:
- COVID-19 emergency powers lasted years beyond any rational justification
- National emergencies declared for border disputes remain active for decades
- Economic "emergencies" grant executive powers never intended by Congress
- Once declared, there's no automatic mechanism to end them
The Autonomist Solution
Strict limits with automatic sunset:
- 90-day maximum without Congressional renewal
- 70% supermajority required to extend (not simple majority)
- Automatic sunset — measures expire unless actively renewed
- No suspension of rights — Article II protections cannot be overridden
What Emergencies Cannot Allow
Even in a declared emergency, the government cannot:
- Suspend freedom of speech, press, or assembly
- Conduct warrantless searches or seizures
- Infringe the right to keep and bear arms
- Detain citizens without charge
- Seize private property without just compensation
These rights are absolute. No emergency justifies their suspension.
Automatic Sunset
The most important feature: every emergency measure expires automatically. In the current system, Congress must actively vote to end an emergency. Human nature being what it is, that vote rarely happens. The Autonomist framework flips the default: emergencies end unless Congress actively votes to continue them.