U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, attends a confirmation hearing of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general Pam Bondi, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks Congressional Approval for New Tariffs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 4, 2025
A bipartisan U.S. Senate bill aimed at requiring congressional approval for the imposition of new tariffs gained additional Republican support on Friday. The proposal comes amid heightened market volatility following President Donald Trump’s decision to enact broad new taxes on imports, a move that has triggered investor concerns over potential economic repercussions.
Additional Republican Support for Grassley-Cantwell Bill
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced their co-sponsorship of the bill originally introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The legislation would require any newly imposed tariffs to expire within 60 days unless explicitly approved by Congress.
Despite the additional backing, it remains uncertain whether the bill will gain sufficient traction in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. Many GOP lawmakers and party leaders have thus far expressed support for President Trump’s tariff policy, which the administration claims will bolster domestic manufacturing, though economists warn it may lead to higher consumer prices and economic contraction.
Senator Moran: Congress Must Reclaim Its Constitutional Role
In a statement to Reuters, Senator Moran emphasized the constitutional basis for the bill:
“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.”
Growing Discontent Within GOP Ranks
The legislation reflects a broader unease among Senate Republicans about the economic fallout from the administration’s tariff strategy. Earlier this week, the Senate passed a separate bill — supported by four Republicans and all Senate Democrats — that would terminate new tariffs on Canadian imports.
However, there has been no indication that the House of Representatives, also controlled by Republicans, will act on that legislation.
Agricultural Concerns Highlighted
Senator Thom Tillis, whose home state of North Carolina has a large agriculture sector, voiced concern over the potential impact of retaliatory tariffs on pork, chicken, and turkey exports. Tillis, facing a competitive re-election campaign, noted that many constituents — including House Republicans — have raised complaints about the tariffs’ local economic effects.
In an interview, Tillis urged the administration to provide greater clarity:
“If all we’re doing is ‘set it and forget it’ and not trying to take the edge off of this, I believe there will be an increasing number of people saying that we need to have oversight.”
Calls for Strategic Clarity
Tillis expressed hope that the Trump administration would soon present a clear strategy for the tariffs’ objectives, including the potential for a major new trade agreement that could offset the current economic disruption.
President Trump, in a statement posted to social media on Friday, reaffirmed his stance, stating:
“My policies will never change.”
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