(The Hill) – Seven Republican senators, including Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Senate’s president pro tempore, and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the former Senate Republican leader, have signed onto a bipartisan bill that would require Congress to approve President Trump’s steep tariffs on trading partners.
Grassley and McConnell have joined five other Republicans, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), in supporting the Trade Review Act of 2025.
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The legislation would limit Trump’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
It would require the president to notify Congress of the imposition of new tariffs and increased tariffs within 28 hours and provide an explanation of the reasoning for the action.
It would also require the administration to provide an assessment of the potential impact of imposing or increasing the duty on U.S. businesses and consumers.
More critically, it would require that new tariffs sunset after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving them.
And it provides a pathway for Congress to cancel tariffs before the 60-day period expires by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.
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Trump has already threatened to veto the bill.
Grassley, the lead co-sponsor, said it’s time for Congress to reassert its authority on trade and tariffs.
“For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch. Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I’m joining Sen. [Maria] Cantwell [R-Wash.] to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy,” Grassley said in a statement.
The Democratic cosponsors of the bill are Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
The legislation is modeled on the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which gives Congress express authority to limit a president’s ability to initiate or escalate foreign military actions.
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The administration stated on Monday that it “strongly opposes” the bill, which would require congressional approval for nearly every tariff increase.
In a statement of administration policy, the White House budget office said the bill “would severely constrain the president’s ability to use authorities long recognized by Congress and upheld by the courts to respond to national emergencies and foreign threats.
Trump last week announced reciprocal tariffs on more than 180 countries and territories by invoking his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
