White House threatens to veto Congress’s efforts to rein in tariff power

A GOP House bill to give Congress more authority over tariffs will be introduced Monday despite President Donald Trump vowing to veto the upper chamber’s version of the bill.

Centrist Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) is set to introduce a companion bill that would mirror the legislation authored last week by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to combat Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement last week. 

Even with bipartisan support, the bill is not promised 60 votes in the Senate and then would have an even steeper uphill battle for passage in the House. This would require Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to put a bill not supported by Trump on the floor for a vote, which is unlikely.

“I think you’ve got to give the president the latitude, the runway to do what it is he was elected to do and that is to get the economy running again and get our trade properly balanced with other countries,” Johnson told reporters Monday. 

The White House promised Monday that if the bill were to pass both chambers, it would be vetoed.

“By requiring Congressional approval for nearly every tariff increase, S. 1272 would severely restrain the President’s ability to use authorities long recognized by Congress and upheld by the courts to respond to national emergencies and foreign threats,” the Office of Management and Budget wrote. “The bill also requires the Administration to notify Congress of any new or increased tariffs within 48 hours of imposition.” 

The legislation is modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which gives Congress the ability to check the president’s power to wage war.

The legislation would also give Congress the authority to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval. It requires a joint resolution of approval to extend the tariffs before 60 days pass. Overall, the bill increases congressional oversight on the executive branch’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.

“For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch. Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I’m joining Senator Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy,” Grassley said in a statement.

Six Republican senators — Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) — have joined Grassley to sign on to the bipartisan bill

“I look forward to working with Sen. Grassley to restore review and powers over tariffs to Congress,” Bacon wrote to the Washington Examiner. 

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All of this work is part of the latest effort to rein in some of Trump’s power after last week’s “Liberation Day” on which the president imposed a 10% standard tariff on all imports to the United States. The White House imposed a new 34% tariff on China, adding to an earlier 20% tariff. Cambodia (49%), Laos (48%), and Vietnam (46%) faced some of the steepest reciprocal tariffs, while the United Kingdom and Australia were subject to the minimum 10% tariff.

Canada and Mexico were excluded from the Trump administration’s new round of tariffs and are not subject to the 10% baseline tariff but both countries remain affected by Trump’s earlier 25% tariffs, with exceptions for goods covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement established during his first term. Also of concern for Canada, Mexico, and manufacturers are separate 25% tariffs on imported autos and parts that have taken effect.