Wyden, Paul, Schumer and Kaine Release Bipartisan Resolution to Repeal Global Tariffs and Restore Congressional Authority Over Trade
Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., released a resolution today that would repeal Donald Trump’s global tariffs, along with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
The resolution will formally be this week, and will be treated as a privileged resolution that must receive a vote on the Senate floor. The measure would terminate the emergency that Trump declared in order to slap tariffs of up to 49% on products Americans buy from other countries. In the wake of Trump’s tariff declaration, markets have cratered, manufacturers have laid off thousands of workers and foreign countries have retaliated by slapping their own tariffs on U.S. agricultural and manufactured goods.
“Trump is driving our economy into a recession, killing jobs and wiping out seniors’ retirement funds as we speak,” Wyden said. “Enough is enough. No president should have the power to tax everything Americans buy without being accountable to Congress. Unless Republicans join with Democrats and take back Congress’s power over trade policy, the damage could take years to reverse.”
“Tariffs are taxes, and the power to tax belongs to Congress—not the president. Our Founders were clear: tax policy should never rest in the hands of one person,” Dr. Paul said. “Abusing emergency powers to impose blanket tariffs not only drives up costs for American families but also tramples on the Constitution. It’s time Congress reasserts its authority and restores the balance of power.”
“Make no mistake - the president’s ill-conceived and chaotic trade war is nothing but a tax on American families,” Schumer said. “Trump is leading America headfirst into a recession, with no plans on how to right the cratering economy. The Senate has the power and authority to stop this madness and we have a duty to act in a bipartisan way to repeal these tariffs, which is why I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation. It’s time for Republicans to stand up for American families, lower costs, save seniors’ retirement funds, and prevent a global economic crisis.”
“No President has the authority to unilaterally impose such sweeping across-the-board tariffs without congressional approval,” Kaine said. “President Trump’s tariff strategy is raising costs on American families, threatening alliances our national security depends on, and creating opportunity for China and other adversaries to take advantage of global instability. The time is now for Congress to reassert its authority in matters of international trade, and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us.”
“Donald Trump’s reckless agenda will hurt American families, small businesses, and manufacturers,” Warren said. “The Trump tariffs are economic sabotage, and Congress has the power to stop them. Republicans can join Democrats and end this today.”
“The President’s reckless global trade war has already gone far beyond everyone’s worst predictions,” Welch said. “In just a matter of days, President Trump has thrown the economy into chaos and wiped out Vermonters’ retirement funds–all in an attempt to achieve deeply misguided foreign policy goals. Congress must stand up and reassert our constitutional role in setting trade policy before Trump’s tariffs ruin more lives and livelihoods.”
“The administration’s ill-considered, short-sighted tariffs are a historic tax hike on American families – jacking up the price of gas, fruit, coffee and other groceries, electronics, cars and everything in between,” Shaheen said. “President Trump’s chaotic trade war targets close allies like Canada and Europe even while sparing adversaries like Russia — leaving America weaker, more isolated and distrusted around the globe. I’m proud to help introduce this resolution to force the administration to end these taxes before it does irreparable harm to American families and our international leadership role.”
The text of the resolution is here.
###
Next Article Previous Article