Markey Joins Blumenthal, Padilla, Schiff to Introduce Legislation to Limit Unchecked Presidential Authority Under the Insurrection Act

Washington (June 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and colleagues in introducing legislation to restrict the President’s authority under the 217-year-oldInsurrection Act.
The newInsurrection Act of 2025would reform centuries-old legislation that gives the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops – either with or without the request of a state – to suppress “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy.” The current law has been used sparingly by other presidents given the potential for the military to escalate tensions, rather than restore order, during a domestic crisis.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
The newInsurrection Act of 2025would:
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