Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Require Congressional Approval of All Unilateral Tariffs
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., introduced a bill that would have future sections 232, 301 and 338 or International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs expire after 60 days unless Congress were to approve the tariffs imposed by the president.
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Even if the bill became law -- which would require veto-proof majorities -- it wouldn't undo the tariffs that are coming April 5 and April 9, nor the national security tariffs on autos and auto parts, nor the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
There isn't yet a House companion bill.
Grassley, who tried to find consensus on two bills that would have required congressional assent on Section 232 tariffs when he was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee during Trump's first term, ended up writing a bill less radical than one of those two approaches. At that time, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., wrote a bill that would have overturned existing Section 232 tariffs, as well as require congressional approval of future 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 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,” Grassley said in a press release announcing the bill.
Cantwell said that trade wars can be as devastating as traditional wars, "which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear Constitutional authority over war and trade."
She said putting Congress back in charge would "ensure rules-based trade policies are transparent, consistent, and benefit the American public. Arbitrary tariffs, particularly on our allies, damage U.S. export opportunities and raise prices for American consumers and businesses,” Cantwell said. “As representatives of the American people, Congress has a duty to stop actions that will cause them harm.”
In addition to the sunset for tariffs, the bill requires the president to include in a notification to Congress of a tariff hike the reasoning for the tariff, and an analysis of projected impact on American businesses and consumers.
Congress could reject the tariffs before the 60-day sunset, as well.
Congress wouldn't be able to veto antidumping and countervailing duties.