Bacon Among Lawmakers Looking to Limit President’s Ability to Impose Tariffs

President Trump Orders 90-Day Pause on Tariffs Except for China U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), along with Representatives Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) have introduced bipartisan legislation to return Congress’ constitutionally authorized role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. H.R. 2665 The Trade Review Act of 2025 requires that unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch receive congressional authority.This action is in response to President Donald Trump's Executive Orders to institute a 10 percent baseline tariff for all imported goods, with larger tariffs on certain countries, most notably China at 145 percent as of press time. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, President Trump announced a 90-day pause on most of his recently enacted tariffs, except for China. The 10 percent tariff on nearly all global imports will remain in place.Of the five U.S. lawmakers that represent Nebraska in Washington D.C., only Bacon has been critical of the tariffs. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith and U.S. Congressman Mike Flood have all expressed their full support for President Trump and his tariff plan.Also supporting the tariffs is Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, who said, “Our farmers and ranchers feed the world and produce the best. We lead on trade – and Nebraska is tired of being duped by takers around the world. President Trump is taking bold action to combat decades of cheating and unfair trade practices. In a phone call last night with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, I told her that Nebraska is in this for the long haul. As a pork producer, I totally understand the short-term economic challenges we’re all feeling. But we’re working hard through this period, and I will do my best to ensure that Nebraska’s interests are heard during this time.” In fact, Bacon has publicly stated his support for some of the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration but also maintains that the Constitution gives Congress the task of imposing tariffs under Article I Section 8. This legislation is the companion bill to Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell’s (D-WA) legislation, The Trade Review Act of 2025, which mirrors Grassley’s 2019 Section 232 tariff reform efforts as Senate Finance Committee Chairman during the first Trump administration. Reasons for the Bill“The Constitution clearly gives the authority for taxes and tariffs to Congress, but for too long, we have handed that authority to the executive branch,” said Representative Bacon. “This is less about the actual tariffs laid by the Trump Administration, some of which I support because they are reciprocal, but more a commitment to uphold the Constitution. Congress has the power of the purse. Our Founders created checks and balances for a reason.”“As a constitutional conservative, I am proud to co-lead the ‘Trade Review Act of 2025’, reasserting our congressional responsibility in imposing tariffs,” said Representative Hurd. “Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is clear: ‘The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.’ This isn’t a political issue for me. I believe Congress must reclaim its constitutionally mandated authority, and I would support this measure regardless of who is in the White House.”“When people are already struggling with higher costs, we must do everything possible to make their lives more affordable. President Trump’s tariffs are doing just the opposite — raising the cost of nearly everything from coffee to cars and clothing while slashing people’s retirement savings and sending markets plummeting,” said Representative Gottheimer. “That’s why I’m introducing the bipartisan Trade Review Act with Rep. Bacon to restore Congress’ constitutional authority to oversee foreign trade.”“For too long, presidents have wielded tariffs as political weapons rather than strategic tools,” said Representative Meeks. “The Trade Review Act restores constitutional checks and balances by ensuring Congress has a voice before American families are hit with higher costs. If a president wants to raise taxes on the American people through tariffs, they should be required to explain why—and get Congressional approval to do it.” What is Included in the Bill?The bill establishes a process for Congressional review of new or increased tariffs (duties) imposed by the President. Specifically, it would:Require the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing a duty on imported goods, including an explanation and an assessment of its impact on U.S. businesses and consumers.Limit the duration of such duties to 60 days, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval to extend them.Allow Congress to end the duty early by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.Exclude antidumping and countervailing duties, which are governed by other statutes.Provide expedited procedures in Congress for considering resolutions of approval or disapproval.The overall purpose of the bill is to increase Congressional oversight over the executive branch’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs. The President’s ResponseTrump addressed the bill at the National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday, “I see some rebel Republican, some guy who wants to grandstand, say, ‘I think that Congress should take over negotiations.’ Let me tell you, you don’t negotiate like I negotiate.”

Ambulance Director Resigns

Commissioners Suspend Use of Zoom After Meeting Hacked

Related Articles

Governor Enacts Statewide Burn Ban

Groundwater Report Shows Decline in Eastern Nebraska

Fairbury Plants Trees for Arbor Day

Competing Inheritance Tax Bills Advance