Press Releases

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Don Beyer (VA-08) led 11 House members in introducing the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, legislation to stop the President of the United States from imposing import tariffs under the guise of a national emergency without Congressional approval.

Tariffs are taxes paid by importers that are often passed along to consumers through higher prices. Donald Trump repeatedly promised on the campaign trail and during the presidential transition that he would impose sweeping tariffs of 10-20% on all imported goods into the U.S., against some of our largest trading partners including Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union. Tariffs like the ones Trump is proposing are estimated to directly raise prices on consumer goods by $2,600 to $4,000 a year for the average American family – at the grocery store, gas pump, and pharmacy counter. Canada, our largest trading partner, has announced that it is currently preparing to retaliate against U.S. companies and their workers if these tariffs are put in place, an example of how countries will respond to Trump’s tariff-first trade agenda.

The president has the authority to declare emergencies in response to national security or economic threats under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The law was intended to allow presidents to impose financial sanctions on hostile foreign nations that pose an emergency threat to the nation. It was never intended to allow a president to declare a state of national economic emergency and impose tariffs on allies.  

“The American people have clearly and consistently said that the high cost of living is one of their top concerns. Imposing sweeping tariffs on imported goods would raise prices on consumer products by thousands of dollars a year. Not only would widespread tariffs drive up costs at home and likely send our economy into recession, but they would likely lead to significant retaliation, hurting American workers, farmers, and businesses. This is especially true in Washington where 4-in-10 jobs are trade-dependent,” said DelBene. “The law was never intended to be abused in this way. This legislation would ensure that Congress can prevent overly broad emergency powers and establish critical oversight to prevent any president from arbitrarily imposing tariffs that increase costs for Americans.” 

“I have warned during both Democratic and Republican administrations that Congress has ceded far too much authority to the Executive Branch to unilaterally raise tariffs, but Donald Trump’s willingness to abuse those authorities poses particular risk of chaos and damage to the U.S. economy,” said Beyer. “Trump’s tariff proposals would misuse emergency authorities to raise prices on the American people, which is unacceptable. Congress must put its foot down and restore the balance of powers that our Founders intended for our trade policy, which is exactly what our bill would do.”

The Constitution clearly states that “Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties … and to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations.” Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, and no president, Democrat or Republican, should have the power to raise taxes on the American people without the consent of Congress. DelBene’s bill would clarify that the imposition of duties or quotas on the importation of goods is prohibited under IEEPA. 

DelBene and Beyer are joined by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Judy Chu (CA-28), John Larson (CT-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), and Steven Horsford (NV-11).

A copy of the bill can be found here.