Politics
GOP Congressman Betrays Trump, Introduces Bill To Revoke Tariff Powers
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said he will be introducing legislation to limit the president’s ability to levy tariffs, stating that President Trump’s latest moves are “not what we voted for.”
Bacon, an Ukraine war hawk who voted to establish the partisan January 6 Committee, cited concerns on Wall Street in calling for the new legislation. “It’s time that Congress restores its authorities here,” Bacon said during an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
The Nebraska lawmaker went on to argue that the constitution is “clear” on the issue, giving Congress “the power of tariffs and taxes, and we gave some of that power to the executive branch,” which he called a “mistake.”
Bacon’s bill will be introduced as companion legislation to a measure introduced in the upper chamber by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), which seeks to reassert Congress’ control over trade policy. The measure, known as the Trade Review Act of 2025, would require the president to give Congress 48 hours’ notice before imposing or raising tariffs.
The president would also be required to provide an analysis and explanation of the potential impact, while lawmakers would be given the chance to draft a joint resolution. “I enjoyed listening to Senator Cantwell. I support the legislation that Senator Grassley, Senator Cantwell, we have a total of seven Republicans in the Senate, and I have some beginning support on the House side, which we’ll unveil tomorrow,” Bacon told CBS News.
“It will be harder to pass this in the House. No doubt. I think if we get 60 votes in the Senate, they’ll put pressure on the House to look at this. And if we continue to see the stock market go a certain direction, or if we see inflation or unemployment shift in a bad way, I think then this bill becomes a very viable bill,” he added. “So it will not pass tomorrow, or maybe in the next couple of weeks, but this will be in the queue that we can use, and it’s time that Congress restores its authorities here.”
Cantwell, who also appeared on “Face The Nation” Sunday, gloated over the fact that she got seven Republican senators to sign on as co-sponsors to the legislation. “So usually you don’t get first introduction and get so many people on board, but I think it shows the anxiety that people have,” Cantwell said, noting that the plan has received glowing reviews from Wall Street.
