A stock market downturn follows President Donald Trump's new import tax announcement, prompting increased scrutiny from Senate Republicans.
According to Newsmax, four additional Republican senators have joined as co-sponsors of bipartisan legislation that would require congressional approval for new tariffs, marking a significant shift in Republican support for presidential trade authority.
The bill, introduced by Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Maria Cantwell, would automatically terminate new tariffs within 60 days unless Congress explicitly approves them.
The growing support comes from prominent Republican figures, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. These additions strengthen the bipartisan coalition backing the legislation, which now includes several Democratic senators from Colorado, Minnesota, Vermont, and Virginia.
The movement reflects mounting concern within the Republican Party about the economic impact of Trump's tariff policies. Several GOP senators have expressed worry about the potential consequences for their state economies, particularly in agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran emphasized the constitutional basis for congressional oversight of trade policy. He stated:
Every state has unique industries that are impacted differently by changes in global markets and trade policies, such as agriculture, car manufacturing, and aircraft production. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to make decisions regarding foreign commerce, including tariffs.
The legislation follows a separate successful bill that specifically targeted tariffs on Canada, which passed with support from four Republicans and all Democratic senators.
The stock market's negative reaction to Trump's latest tariff announcement has intensified the pressure on lawmakers. Economists warn that the new import taxes could lead to higher consumer prices and potentially trigger a recession.
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, facing a competitive reelection campaign next year, voiced particular concern about retaliatory tariffs affecting his state's substantial pork, chicken, and turkey industries. His constituents have already begun expressing their displeasure with the economic impact of the trade policies.
The White House maintains that the tariffs will encourage new investment in U.S. manufacturing, despite widespread economic concerns. Trump has firmly stated through social media that his policies will remain unchanged.
Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have proposed an additional measure targeting Trump's tariff policies. Their amendment to a current budget bill would rescind any tariffs implemented during Trump's presidency that have increased prices on consumer goods, while maintaining restrictions on China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The Democratic proposal faces significant obstacles in the Republican-controlled Senate. However, it represents another front in the growing legislative pushback against presidential tariff authority. House Republicans have shown little interest in advancing either the bipartisan oversight bill or the Canada-specific legislation, despite mounting pressure from their Senate colleagues.
The bipartisan effort to establish congressional oversight of tariffs represents a significant challenge to presidential trade authority. The bill, introduced by Senators Grassley and Cantwell, has gained support from key Republican senators, including McConnell, Murkowski, Moran, and Tillis, alongside several Democratic colleagues. While the legislation faces uncertain prospects in both chambers of Congress, it reflects growing concern about the economic impact of sweeping tariff policies, particularly as the stock market reacts negatively and various industries face potential retaliatory measures from trading partners. The White House maintains its commitment to the current trade strategy, setting up a potential showdown between executive and legislative priorities.
