March 12th, 2026Heinrich Leads Legislation to Refund Working Families for Trump’s Unlawful Tariffs

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led 7 Senate Democrats to introduce the Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act, legislation that will create a tax rebate program for individuals and families who have paid increased prices for groceries and everyday essentials due to President Trump’s unlawful foreign tariffs.
According to a U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC)report, Trump’s illegal tariffs have already cost American families more than $1,700 each. In New Mexico, these tariffs have cost New Mexico families an average of $1,355 each.
Following the Supreme Court’srecent decisiondeclaring many of Trump’s broad, cost-raising tariffs unconstitutional, Trumpannouncedadditional tariffs his administration plans to impose on imported goods. These costs will continue to be passed on to American consumers and working families. Senator Heinrich’s bill will use revenue collected from President Trump's illegal tariffs to refund Americans for the increased costs they’ve shouldered and reaffirms that the power to tax and regulate commerce resides with Congress.
“President Trump’s illegal tariffs have cost New Mexico families an average of $1,355. This is money that belongs to working families—not the CEOs of Walmart or Amazon or any other big corporation,”said Heinrich.“The President may call the affordability crisis a ‘hoax,’ but working people feel it every time they pay for groceries or everyday essentials. This bill will return the money lost to Trump’s tariffs back to the people who paid the price.”
The Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act will establish the “Working Families Refund”. Specifically, the legislation will:
For example, a family of four with two parents filing jointly and two dependent children making less than $180,000 a year would receive a $2,400 Working Families Refund.
Heinrich’s Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).
A one-page summary of the bill ishere.
A section-by-section of the bill ishere.
A FAQ document on the bill ishere.
The text of the bill ishere.
Heinrich has been fighting to lower costs and help New Mexicans put food on the table.
Heinrich cosponsored the Reclaim Trade Powers Act, which would repeal Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This is the authority President Trump is using for his new 10 to 15 percent tariffs on many imports from most countries.
Last month, Heinrich released astatementapplauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down many of President Trump’s sweeping tariff taxes.
In February 2025, Heinrichspoke out against President Trump’s tariffs, which have raised costs for families and killed jobs.
This Congress, Heinrichcosponsored the No Tariffs on Groceries Act, legislation to prevent President Trump from enacting tariffs that raise grocery costs for New Mexico families. The No Tariffs on Groceries Act will require congressional approval for any tariff levied on food or agricultural products. While Republicans blocked passage of the No Tariffs on Groceries Act, Heinrich remains committed to lowering grocery costs and getting this legislation passed into law.
Additionally, Heinrichcosponsored the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, legislation that will lower the cost of housing for New Mexico families by excluding homebuilding materials from Trump’s tariffs.
Heinrich voted in favor of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-Va.) resolution ending the 35% tariffs on Canada, as well as the 10% tariffs on non-USMCA compliant potash and Canadian energy. Heinrich also voted in favor of Kaine’s resolution ending the 40% tariffs on Brazil.
Heinrich cosponsored theSmall Business Liberation Act, legislation to exempt small businesses from global baseline and reciprocal tariffs and provide refunds to the small businesses that were forced to pay them.
Heinrich also voted in favor of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden’s (D-Ore.) resolution that would have terminated the national emergency on global tariffs.
Last April, Heinrichsent a letterto the U.S. Trade Representative demanding answers on how Trump’s tariffs will impact New Mexico farmers.
Additionally, Heinrich pushedTrump’s then-Secretary Designee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)to share her plan to address the rising cost of eggs driven by the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. His letter emphasized the importance of the USDA in maintaining a safe, affordable food system for American families and supporting robust domestic and foreign markets for American farmers.
###