Bill Reintroduced to Prevent Presidential Action on Tariffs Without Congress

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reintroduced the Global Trade Accountability Act, a bill that would not allow any presidential hike in tariffs, tightening of tariff-rate quotas or other import restrictions without congressional approval. Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., co-sponsored the bill, which was first introduced in 2017. Temporary tariffs or quotas would be allowed under a national emergency but would expire after 90 days without congressional approval. “Congress has ceded far too much of its lawmaking power to the executive branch, including the power to unilaterally raise tariffs,” said Lee Thursday. “Sudden hikes in trade barriers can have real and devastating impacts on American small businesses, farmers, and families, including in my home state of Utah.” Paul said that "as a constitutional republic, tax increases should never be imposed by the whim of one person.”