Senators introduce bipartisan bill to give Congress more power over tariffs

Senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to grant Congress more power over instituting tariffs on other countries following President Trump’s announcement of wide-ranging taxes on nearly all U.S. foreign trading partners.

The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) — both members of the Senate Finance Committee — would “reaffirm” the role of Congress in setting and approving trade policy, according to a release from Cantwell’s office. 

If passed, the Trade Review Act of 2025 would require the president to notify lawmakers of an imposition or increase in tariffs within 48 hours, explaining the reasoning and providing analysis of the impact on American businesses and consumers. 

Congress would need to pass a joint resolution of approval for the new tariffs within 60 days or the additional taxes would expire, and it would also be able to end the tariffs at any time with a resolution of disapproval. 

“Trade wars can be as devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear Constitutional authority over war and trade,” Cantwell wrote in the release. “This bill reasserts Congress’s role over trade policy to ensure rules-based trade policies are transparent, consistent, and benefit the American public.” 

“Arbitrarily tariffs, particularly on our allies, damage U.S. export opportunities and raise prices for American consumers and businesses,” the Washington state Democrat added. 

The legislation’s introduction came after Trump announced a 10 percent baseline tariff on global imports and a higher rate for the “worst offenders” on trade barriers. The 10 percent tariffs are set to go into effect Friday, while the higher reciprocal taxes on roughly 60 countries will go into effect April 9.

Those being targeted with the reciprocal tariffs include China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan and the European Union. 

Grassley said in the release that Congress has “for too long” delegated its “clear authority” to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive. 

“Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I’m joining Senator Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy,” he said. 

The release states the bill is modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires the president to notify Congress when sending troops to foreign countries without congressional approval and gives lawmakers oversight to limit actions without that approval. 

A group of four Republicans joined with all Democrats on Wednesday to pass a resolution declaring opposition to the president's 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports. The resolution doesn’t have the force of law but is still a symbolic gesture of disapproval of Trump’s action.