Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks to Give Congress More Power on Tariffs

“Congress plays a constitutional role through commercial provisions on trade issues. We should reaffirm that role,” Sen. Chuck Grassley told reporters.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the new law on April 3rd. It aims to reaffirm Congress’ power over tariffs following President Donald Trump’s sweeping global taxation announced Wednesday.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) sympathized with the measure. This limits Trump’s tariff capabilities. The President must also provide 48 hours of notice to Congress before imposing new tariffs and set a 60-day expiration date for all new tariffs imposed. If passed, the bill also gives Congress the authority to cancel customs duties at any time.

While the bill is unlikely to become a law, it will have to pass the House even if enough senators support it, so Gallery, who leads the law, shows that some major Republicans are not satisfied with the president’s tariff agenda. The senator chairs the Judiciary Committee, joins the Finance Committee, and is ranked third in the presidency behind House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

On Wednesday, Trump announced tariffs for 10-50% of all US trading partners around the world following a pledge to slap mutual tariffs on countries to counter unfair trade practices against the United States.

The move has overturned global and domestic stock markets, with the S&P 500 getting its biggest quarterly hit since 2022.

Grassley’s bill also declared Wednesday evening that it would attempt to override Trump’s February national emergency, following a resolution from Senate Democrats, and would collect a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.

Grassley did not join the four Republicans who crossed the aisle to support the resolution, but he initially suggested he was unsure about Trump’s sweeping tariff policies without Congressional approval.

“Congress has played a constitutional role through commercial provisions on trade issues and should reaffirm that role,” Grassley told reporters in a report Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Tillis (RN.C.) told reporters Thursday that he agreed to the need for Congressional views and showed that others at the GOP could support Grassley’s bill.

“I think there’s something I have to say to do the council review,” he said.

He added that he tends to support the law.

“This isn’t about robbing President Trump of his back power,” Tillis said. “This is about fighting back power that has never been passed down to Article 2 branch for decades.

“And I’m watching it. Just because I love truck drivers, I tend to support it.”

Other Republicans have a warmer response to tariffs.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told reporters Thursday that Trump wanted China to go to zero.

“We’re focusing on China, and I think any effort we can get to remove the economy from China will be beneficial to both the national and economic security of the United States,” Cruz said.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters that Trump’s plan is “not to impose pain” and “to bring us from the disasters of the past four years.”

Democrats say Trump’s tariffs are likely to raise costs for American consumers.

“Arbitrary tariffs, particularly on our allies, will damage US export opportunities and raise prices for American consumers and businesses,” Cantwell said in a statement. “As representative of the American people, Congress has an obligation to stop any actions that harm them.”

Trump defends the policy as an attempt to restore US manufacturing and tackle tariff and non-tariff barriers with US trading partners.