Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is partnering with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to introduce legislation to enhance Congress’s authority over U.S. tariffs, one day after President Donald Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports.
The bill would mandate that the president inform Congress within 48 hours of implementing any new tariffs. It would also require an explanation of the president’s reasoning for imposing or raising the tariff and provide an analysis of the potential effect on American consumers and businesses.
The legislation would also give Congress the authority to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval.
“For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch,” Grassley said in a statement. “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.”
Sen. Cantwell emphasized that Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority over trade policy.
“Trade wars can be … devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear Constitutional authority over war and trade,” Cantwell said in the statement. “This bill reasserts Congress’s role over trade policy to ensure rules-based trade policies are transparent, consistent, and benefit the American public.”
The latest move from senators comes after a Wednesday effort in which several Republican senators supported a measure that would essentially end the national emergency declaration that authorized tariffs on Canadian imports.
Four Republican senators — Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) — broke with their party to join all Democrats in voting for the measure, citing concerns over increasing consumer prices and what they viewed as executive overreach.
The introduction of another legislative avenue to rein in Trump’s authority marks the most significant policy revolt of Trump’s second term, with Democrats effectively leveraging Republican frustration over what some see as a shift away from free trade.
SENATE DELIVERS TRUMP ‘LIBERATION DAY’ REBUKE OVER EMERGENCY TARIFFS ON CANADA
Trump announced plans to implement a 10% standard tariff on all imports to the United States on Wednesday, along with higher specific duties on major trade partners. The White House imposed a new 34% tariff on China, adding to an earlier 20% tariff, resulting in a total of 54%. At the same time, Cambodia (49%), Laos (48%), and Vietnam (46%) faced some of the steepest “discounted” 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. However, 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.