DelBene, Beyer Introduce Legislation to Block President from Imposing Unchecked Tariffs

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), and eight Ways & Means Committee members introduced 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. Donald Trump repeatedly promised on the campaign trail that he would impose sweeping tariffs of 10-20% on all imported goods into the U.S., against our allies and adversaries alike. These actions are estimated to directly raise prices on consumer goods by $2,600 to $4,000 a year for the average American family.

The president has broad authority to declare emergencies in response to national security or economic threats under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The law was intended for the president to be able to impose financial sanctions on hostile foreign nations that pose an emergency threat to the nation. It was never meant to allow a president to indiscriminately impose tariffs without Congress' approval.

"The American people have clearly and consistently said that costs are one of their top concerns. Imposing sweeping tariffs on imported goods would raise prices on consumer products by thousands of dollars a year according to estimates. Not only would widespread tariffs drive up costs at home and likely send our economy into recession, but they would damage our trade relationships with allies and likely lead to significant retaliation, hurting American workers, farmers, and businesses," said DelBene. "The law was never intended to be abused in this way. This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president - Democrat or Republican - could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs."

"Congress has ceded far too much authority to the president to unilaterally raise tariffs, and in the wrong hands that power can be used to wreak economic havoc and harm broad swathes of the country," said Beyer. "This sensible legislation would prevent the misuse of emergency authorities by the president to impose massive costs on American families without the approval of Congress."

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 Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), and Committee Members Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Steven Horsford (NV-04), John Larson (CT-01), Dan Kildee (MI-08), and Judy Chu (CA-28).

The text of the legislation can be found here.