Grassley, Cantwell Introduce Bill to Restore Congress’ Constitutional Role in Trade

WASHINGTON–Senate Finance Committee Members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a former chairman of the committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to restore Congress’ constitutionally authorized role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. TheTrade Review Act of 2025would require congressional approval of unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch.
Grassley has long emphasized the Constitution assigns Congress the task of regulating foreign commerce. This legislation mirrors Grassley’s 2019 Section 232tariff reform effortsas Senate Finance Committee Chairman during the first Trump administration
“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 bipartisanTrade Review Act of 2025to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy,”Grassley said.
“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,”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. Under this legislation:
Additional cosponsors are Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).
The legislation is supported by the National Retail Federation (NRF), Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Retail Industry Leaders Association, American Apparel & Footwear Association, USA Pulses Coalition, Outdoor Industry Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Main Street Alliance, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), Small Business Majority, Advancing American Freedom, Washington Council on International Trade, Washington Distillers Guild, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), the Iowa Soybean Association and the National Farmers Union.
The full bill text is availableHERE.
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