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Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks to Give Congress More Power on Tariffs

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‘Congress has a constitutional function via the Commerce Clause on commerce issues, and we must always re-assume that function,’ Sen. Chuck Grassley informed reporters.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) launched new laws on April 3 that goals to reassert Congress’s authority over tariffs following President Donald Trump’s sweeping world levies unveiled on Wednesday.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) cosponsored the measure, which might restrict Trump’s potential to impose tariffs. It might additionally require the president to provide Congress 48 hours’ discover earlier than levying new tariffs and set a 60-day expiration date on all new tariffs imposed. If handed, the invoice would additionally give Congress the authority to cancel any tariff at any time.

Whereas it’s unlikely the invoice will ever change into legislation, on account of it needing to cross the Home even when sufficient senators supported it, Grassley main the laws signifies that some main Republican lawmakers are lower than glad with the president’s tariff agenda. The senator chairs the Judiciary Committee and sits on the Finance Committee, past being third in line for the presidency behind Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

On Wednesday, Trump introduced tariffs between 10 p.c and 50 p.c on all U.S. buying and selling companions worldwide, following his vows to slap reciprocal tariffs on international locations to counter unfair commerce practices towards america.
The transfer has upended world and home inventory markets, with the S&P 500 taking its largest quarterly hit since 2022.
Grassley’s invoice additionally follows a decision from Senate Democrats on Wednesday night looking for to nullify Trump’s February nationwide emergency, which he declared to levy 25 p.c tariffs on Canadian imports.

Grassley didn’t be a part of the 4 Republicans who crossed the aisle to help the decision, however he steered he was uneasy with Trump’s sweeping tariff coverage with out first getting Congress’s approval.

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“Congress has a constitutional function via the Commerce Clause on commerce issues, and we must always reassume that function,” Grassley informed reporters in a Tuesday press name.

Senate Majority Chief Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) informed reporters on Thursday that he agreed concerning the want for congressional enter, and indicated others within the GOP could help Grassley’s invoice.

“I believe there’s one thing to be stated for having congressional evaluation,” he stated.

He added that he was inclined to help the laws.

“This isn’t about clawing again energy from President Trump,” Tillis stated. “That is about clawing again energy that ought to have by no means been conveyed to the Article II department over a long time.

“And so I’m it, and I’m inclined to help it simply because I like truck drivers.”

Different Republicans have given hotter reactions to the tariffs.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) informed reporters on Thursday that he needs Trump to zero in on China.

“Concentrate on China. And I believe each effort we will take to delink our financial system from China is useful, each to U.S. nationwide safety and to our financial safety,” Cruz stated.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) informed reporters that Trump’s plan “just isn’t about imposing ache” however “about delivering us from the final 4 years of catastrophe.”

Democrats have stated that Trump’s tariffs will doubtless drive up prices for American customers.

“Arbitrary tariffs, significantly on our allies, injury U.S. export alternatives and lift costs for American customers and companies,” Cantwell stated in an announcement. “As representatives of the American folks, Congress has an obligation to cease actions that may trigger them hurt.”

Trump has defended the coverage as an try to revive manufacturing in america and work in direction of eradicating tariff and non-tariff obstacles with U.S. buying and selling companions.

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