Freshman Democrat Introduces Bill That Would Limit President's Ability to Impose National Security Tariffs
Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., introduced a bill, the Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019, that would require that any tariffs implemented on national security grounds -- whether through Section 232 or another mechanism, such as the national emergency on immigration -- be approved by Congress. The bill, introduced June 25, would allow tariffs to be in place for 120 days without congressional approval. It has a Senate companion bill, S. 899, introduced by Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.
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Many trade groups hailed the bill, including the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the National Retail Federation, and the Outdoor Industry Association. The bill also proposes that Congress could pass a joint resolution of disapproval for Section 301 tariffs, but that action would have to garner veto-proof majorities to be successful.
Murphy said in her summary of the legislation that it's necessary for Congress to reclaim some of its tariff-setting authority "in light of the imprudent and irresponsible way in which the Trump administration has used tariffs as a policy tool, and the severe harm that tariffs can cause to the United States and its citizens."