Bipartisan Senate Legislation Aims to Enhance Congressional Authority Over Tariffs

April 3, 2025 TruthUSA

“Congress holds a constitutional responsibility through the Commerce Clause concerning trade, and we must reclaim that responsibility,” Sen. Chuck Grassley expressed to reporters.

On April 3, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) proposed new legislation designed to reaffirm Congress’s power over tariffs, particularly following President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of extensive global levies revealed on Wednesday.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) co-sponsored the legislation, which seeks to restrict Trump’s authority to impose tariffs. It would mandate the president to provide Congress with a 48-hour notice prior to levying new tariffs and establish a 60-day expiration for all newly imposed tariffs. Additionally, if enacted, the bill would empower Congress to annul any tariff at any time.

Though it’s improbable the bill will progress into law due to the necessity of passing the House, even with adequate Senate backing, Grassley’s initiative demonstrates that some prominent Republican legislators are discontent with the president’s tariff policies. He serves as the chair of the Judiciary Committee and also holds a position on the Finance Committee, being the third in line for the presidency after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

On Wednesday, Trump revealed tariffs ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent on all global trading partners, following his commitment to impose reciprocal tariffs against countries that practice unfair trade against the United States.

This action has significantly disrupted both domestic and global stock markets, with the S&P 500 experiencing its largest quarterly decline since 2022.

Grassley’s bill comes on the heels of a resolution initiated by Senate Democrats on Wednesday, aiming to negate Trump’s February national emergency that imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports.

While Grassley did not support the four Republican senators who voted for the resolution, he hinted at his discomfort with Trump’s expansive tariff strategy without obtaining Congress’s consent.

“Congress holds a constitutional responsibility through the Commerce Clause concerning trade matters, and we must reassume that responsibility,” Grassley remarked during a press call on Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) acknowledged the necessity for congressional involvement while speaking to reporters on Thursday, implying potential support from other GOP members for Grassley’s measure.

“I believe there is merit in having congressional review,” he stated.

Tillis indicated he was likely to back the legislation, clarifying, “This is not about reclaiming power from President Trump; it’s about retrieving power that should have never been shifted to the Article II branch over the years.

“So while considering this, I’m leaning towards supporting it simply because I value truck drivers.”

Conversely, some Republicans have expressed more favorable views of the tariffs.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) conveyed on Thursday his desire for Trump to focus specifically on China.

“Concentrate on China. I believe every action we can take to decouple our economy from China benefits both U.S. national security and our economic welfare,” Cruz commented.

Similarly, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) remarked that Trump’s initiative “is not intended to inflict pain” but rather “to free us from the past four years of turmoil.”

Democrats contend that Trump’s tariffs are likely to lead to increased costs for American consumers.

“Arbitrary tariffs, particularly against our allies, harm U.S. export opportunities while elevating prices for American businesses and consumers,” Cantwell remarked in a statement. “As representatives of the American people, Congress has an obligation to prevent actions that will result in their harm.”

Trump has justified the tariff policy as an effort to rekindle manufacturing within the United States and to address tariff and non-tariff barriers with U.S. trading partners.

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