Senate Bill Aims to Limit Trump's Tariff Authority

Two senior members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee introduced legislation aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's authority to impose tariffs and requiring congressional approval for any new taxes within 60 days. The bipartisan effort, led by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell, seeks to rein in the executive branch's power to unilaterally impose tariffs, a move that has sparked significant controversy and economic uncertainty.

The legislation requires the president to report to Congress the reasons for imposing new tariffs, including an analysis of the potential impact on U.S. businesses and consumers. Congress would then need to approve a joint resolution supporting the new tariffs within 60 days; otherwise, all new import tariffs would be nullified. This move is seen as a significant check on the president's authority, particularly in light of the economic fallout from recent tariff impositions.

Cantwell emphasized the importance of congressional oversight in trade policy, stating that the legislation reaffirms the role of Congress in ensuring that trade policies are transparent, consistent, and beneficial to the American public. She highlighted the responsibility of Congress to prevent actions that could harm U.S. citizens.

Trump's recent imposition of tariffs on a range of goods, including steel and aluminum, has sparked retaliation from trading partners and led to economic uncertainty. The legislation introduced by Grassley and Cantwell is modeled after the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which aims to limit the president's ability to impose tariffs without congressional approval.

Grassley, whose state of Iowa heavily relies on agricultural exports, and Cantwell, whose state of Washington is home to many export-oriented companies like Boeing, both expressed concerns about the impact of unilateral tariffs on their respective states' economies. This bipartisan effort underscores the growing discontent within the Senate over Trump's trade policies and the need for congressional oversight.