Wyden, Paul, Schumer, Kaine, Shaheen, Welch and Warren Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal Global Tariffs
Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced legislation 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.
Under Senate rules, the measure will receive a vote on the Senate floor shortly after the Senate returns from a state work period later this month. If enacted, the resolution would terminate the emergency that Trump declared, reverse Trump’s new taxes of 10 percent on all imported goods, and end his threat of additional tariffs up to 49% on products Americans buy from other countries. In the wake of Trump’s tariff standoff, 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’s trade chaos has put our entire economy at the mercy of one man’s social media account - that’s not how America is supposed to work,” Wyden said. “Congress can’t sit on its hands while he slaps a new 10 percent tax on everything families buy, and leaves businesses and seniors in limbo until the next tariff flip flop. Congress needs to pass our bipartisan bill, end the tariff rollercoaster, and restore Congress’ Constitutional authority over trade.”
“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 legislation is here.
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