Momentum Builds for Bipartisan Cantwell Bill to Reassert Congressional Trade Role

WASHINGTON, D.C. –ICYMI, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced bipartisan legislation to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. In addition to Sen. Cantwell, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have co-sponsored the bill. The Trade Review Act of 2025, modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, would reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
“Trade wars can be as devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear Constitutional authority over war and trade. This bill reasserts Congress’s role over trade policy to 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,”Sen. Cantwell said.“As representatives of the American people, Congress has a duty to stop actions that will cause them harm.”
The bill restores Congress’ authority and responsibility over tariffs as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution by placing the following limits on the president’s power to impose tariffs:
The full bill text is availableHERE.
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