Senators Cantwell & Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reassert Congressional Trade Role

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), both senior members of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. 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.”
“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,”Sen. Grassley said.
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.