Bipartisan Efforts to Limit Trump's Tariff Powers Likely to Fail Due to Veto Threat

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that a bipartisan initiative designed to curtail President Trump's authority regarding tariffs is unlikely to advance through Congress. The bill, which has garnered support from seven Republican senators and was spearheaded by Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell, requires that Congress be given the opportunity to approve any new tariffs within a period of 60 days.

Thune, representing South Dakota, stated that the bill would not have a favorable future due to Trump's expressed intent to veto it. He noted that there seems to be little chance of the legislation reaching a vote, as uncertainty looms over how it could be brought to the House's floor. The proposed law aims to ensure that the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or raising tariffs, along with an impact assessment concerning American businesses and consumers.

Should the bill be enacted, any new tariffs would automatically expire after 60 days unless they receive Congressional approval. Lawmakers would also have the authority to revoke tariffs before the deadline by passing a joint resolution of disapproval. However, the administration has already assured senators that Trump would not hesitate to veto the bill if it were passed.

Additionally, a statement from the White House's budget office criticized the Trade Review Act of 2025, claiming it would significantly restrict the president's ability to utilize powers long established by Congress and reiterated by the courts for addressing national crises. Speaker Mike Johnson also expressed his support for allowing Trump the freedom to pursue his tariff strategies, emphasizing that the plan had only recently been introduced.