These 7 GOP senators are backing a bill to curb Trump's tariff powers
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- Lawmakers introduced a bill to limit Trump's ability to maintain tariffs without their approval.
- Several GOP senators have already signed onto it as cosponsors.
- It's the clearest sign that Trump's tariff plan is causing a major rift within his party.
President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" announcement is spurring members of his own party to attempt to rein in his tariff powers.
Several Republican senators have signed onto the Trade Review Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington and Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
The bill would make tariffs imposed by Trump — or any future president — disappear after 60 days if not approved by Congress.
It comes after four GOP senators backed an effort to block Trump from imposing tariffs on Canada.
Despite the bill's bipartisan support, it doesn't have a clear path to becoming law. But it's the clearest sign yet that Trump's trade policies are dividing members of his own party.
It's not just moderate Republicans who are backing the bill. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former Senate Minority Leader, has also signed on. Several other Trump allies have been critical of tariffs, including Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas.
Here are the 7 GOP senators who have cosponsored the bill so far:
- Susan Collins of Maine
- Chuck Grassley of Iowa
- Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
- Jerry Moran of Kansas
- Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
- Thom Tillis of North Carolina
- Todd Young of Indiana
It's the latest example of Congress trying to reassert its authority
The US Constitution gives the legislative branch, not the executive branch, the authority to impose tariffs.
But over the course of the 20th century, Congress passed several bills that delegated more of that authority toward the president, leading to the present situation, where Trump is able to legally impose all kinds of tariffs without congressional input.
It's similar to the conversation that DOGE has spurred, with Trump and Elon Musk shuttering agencies and cutting off funding without congressional approval.
This bill is an effort to reverse that trend, at least when it comes to trade.
"For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch," Grassley, the lead GOP co-sponsor, said in a statement.
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Under the bill, any new tariffs would expire in 60 days if the House and the Senate don't pass a joint resolution of approval. Congress could also end tariffs sooner than the 60-day point by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.
Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska is expected to introduce a House version of the bill as well.
However, the legislation faces an uncertain path to becoming law. Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson have stood by Trump, and they largely have control over what bills make it to the floor in their respective chambers.
Trump has argued that tariffs, down the line, will help the economy.
Furthermore, Trump would likely veto any bill that imposes limits on his power, requiring Congress to amass not just majorities but two-thirds supermajorities in each chamber to override that veto.