House Republican plans bill to let Congress block Trump tariffs

President Trump holds a chart as he announces a plan for tariffs on imported goods during an event Wednesday in the Rose Garden. Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images

A House Republican is planning to introduce legislation that would give Congress the power to block tariffs imposed by the president.

Why it matters: It’s a rare break with President Trump from a Republican lawmaker as markets continue to tumble in response to the White House’s sweeping new tariffs.

What we’re hearing: Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) confirmed to Axios that he is crafting a companion to the Trade Review Act of 2025 introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell’s (D-Wash.)

  • The legislation would require the president to notify Congress of any new tariffs within 48 hours with the administration’s reasoning and an analysis of their economic impacts.
  • Congress would then have to pass a resolution of approval within 60 days or the tariffs would expire. Lawmakers could also pass a resolution of disapproval at any time to kill the tariffs.
  • Bacon’s plans were first reported by Politico.

Reality check: With Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, neither bill is likely to get a vote.

  • Trump could also veto the legislation, meaning Congress would effectively need a two-thirds majority in each chamber to force it into becoming law.

What we’re watching: House Democrats are planning to try to force a vote on ending the national emergency upon which Trump’s new tariffs are based.

  • Such a vote could put Republicans like Bacon — whose constituents are being squeezed by the tariffs with little economic upside — in a difficult position.
  • The Senate voted this week on a similar measure to block Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, in which four Republicans joined with Democrats to provide the necessary votes for it to pass.

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