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.