Rep. Panetta Statement Following Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Tariffs

Washington, DC -- Rep. Panetta released the following statement:

"Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court against this Administration reaffirmed what I long have asserted in that Congress must reclaim its Constitutional authority over trade. The Supreme Court’s decision makes clear that the Executive Branch cannot implement import levies under IEPPA without Congressional authorization due to our Article One power. Unfortunately, even with this ruling, uncertainty for U.S. businesses and consumers will continue as we figure out potential refunds from the President’s unconstitutional tariff policies. Moreover, the President recently stated that he would keep 10% across-the-board tariffs on all imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Despite the President’s justifications and promises for his incoherent trade policy, the embarrassing truth for this Administration is that since the tariff policy was put in place, manufacturing jobs are down, prices for products are up, and there are fewer choices of items for Americans. 

"Now more than ever, Congress must take a stand and be a check on this Administration’s executive overreach, including its harmful tariff policies. If not, Speaker Johnson should be embarrassed that he has allowed Congress to capitulate on our Constitutional responsibilities, especially with trade. Americans are hurting with continued high prices for housing, healthcare, food, fuel, and child care. It is Congress’s time to act for the people we serve so that we can lower costs for working families, including by preventing the President from re-instituting these tariffs with other imagined authorities. That is why Congress should be allowed to vote on my legislation, the Reclaim Trade Powers Act, to repeal the President’s ability to implement tariffs under Section 122. The decision by the Supreme Court is Congress's chance to stop abdicating per our role, start legislating per our job, and reclaim our power under the United States Constitution."

###