CONTACT:
Gallagher Press Office: Madison Wiberg
Kind Press Office: Aaron White
Sanford Press Office: Scott Jeffrey
Panetta Press Office: Sarah Davey
Lance Press Office: John Byers
Costello Press Office: Natalie McLaughlin

Seeks to Reassert Congressional Authority on Tariffs 

Washington, D.C. – Today Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI), joined by his colleagues Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Mark Sanford (R-SC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), and Ryan Costello (R-PA) introduced legislation that would require the president to submit to Congress any proposal to adjust imports in the interest of national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Under the bill, Members of Congress would have a 60-day period following submission to review the president’s proposal. Any legislation to approve the proposal will qualify for expedited consideration in both chambers. The requirement would apply to all future Section 232 actions, in addition to those taken in the last two years. Click here for a copy of the legislation.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI): “Members of Congress have criticized excessive delegation to the executive branch for years, across multiple administrations.” He continued, “The Framers deliberately placed the duty to set trade policy with the Congress, and we cannot shirk that responsibility. We owe it to our constituents to do our jobs and uphold the Constitution, which is why I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help restore that responsibility to where the Framers first placed it.”

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI): “Wisconsin farmers, workers and families rely on open markets and certainty in global trade to sell our world-renowned products abroad. Unfortunately, the administration is putting misguided policies ahead of the success of Wisconsinites, under dubious legal justification and threatening American standing abroad.” He continued, “Trade authorities clearly belong to Congress – as explicitly stated in the Constitution – and I strongly encourage my colleagues to step up and take their role in leveling the playing field seriously. The answers to these problems won’t come from the President or Congress alone. We need to work together to ensure Americans have an equal shot at success in the global market.”

Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC): “Almost 580,000 jobs in South Carolina are tied to trade, and over 6,000 companies export goods globally from the state. This means that any federal policy affecting trade – like tariffs – will have a huge impact. But whether you want more tariffs or no tariffs, the Constitution is explicit in granting Congress the power to decide these matters. Yet, over the years, this power has eroded in congressional hands and strengthened in executive ones. This bill would simply help Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over tariffs proposed under Section 232.”

Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA): “Congress must effectively execute its national security and trade oversight authorities. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation advances that goal.” He continued, “The Administration’s policies and tariffs are negatively impacting American industries and consumers, including the central coast of California’s $5 billion agriculture economy. By reaffirming the role of Congress, this legislation protects our farmers, ranchers, and consumers from unnecessary trade wars.”

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ): “In global trade wars, the only casualties are American jobs and American consumers.  This legislation will bring a much-needed constitutional balance to our U.S. trade policies by requiring congressional approval of all tariffs designated under Section 232 to ensure proper oversight and prudence at the intersection of trade and national security.”

Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA): “This legislation would uphold Congress’ Article I authority regarding trade. Further, it would send a strong signal to Pennsylvania workers and families that Congress is committed to supporting American jobs and a strong economy.”

A letter from more than 270 national, state, and local U.S. business organizations sent to the Senate in support of Sen. Corker’s legislation reads: “Article I of the Constitution assigns the Congress exclusive authority to regulate foreign trade and levy taxes, including tariffs. [T]he current circumstances highlight the need for Congress to ensure that the authority will be used, as intended by the Congress, in the overall national interest.”

Below is the list of the 270+ business and agricultural groups that have announced their support for the Senate bill:

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
American Apparel & Footwear Association
American Association of Exporters and Importers
American Bakers Association
American Chemistry Council
American Feed Industry Association
American Forest & Paper Association
American Gear Manufacturers Association
American International Automobile Dealers Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Trucking Associations
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of American Railroads
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Association of Global Automakers
Auto Care Association
Business Roundtable
Coalition for GSP
Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users
Computer & Communications Industry Association
Council for Responsible Nutrition
Electronic Transactions Association
Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance
Federation of American Hospitals
Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Household & Commercial Products Association
Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association
International Wood Products Association
Internet Association
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Beer Wholesalers Association
National Confectioners Association
National Foreign Trade Council
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Retail Federation
Organization for International Investment
Personal Care Products Council
Pet Food Institute
Plastics Industry Association
Retail Industry Leaders Association
SEMI
Software & Information Industry Association
The Hardwood Federation
The Toy Association
Transportation Intermediaries Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Fashion Industry Association
U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association
Vinyl Institute
WineAmerica
Alaska Chamber
Alhambra Chamber of Commerce
Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Ames Chamber of Commerce
Archbold Area Chamber of Commerce
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas
Associated Equipment Distributors
Association of Washington Business
Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce
Baton Rouge Area Chamber
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce
Billings Chamber of Commerce
Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
Blackwell Industrial Authority
Boise Metro Chamber
Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce
Border Trade Alliance
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Bunn Properties
Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
Business Council of Alabama
Caldwell Chamber of Commerce
Camarillo Chamber of Commerce
Campbell County Chamber of Commerce
Capital Region Chamber
Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce
Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Chamber Southwest Louisiana
Chamber630
ChamberWest Chamber of Commerce
Chandler Chamber of Commerce
Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry
Colorado Business Roundtable
Colorado Competitive Council
Colorado Farm Bureau
Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Commerce Lexington Inc.
Connecticut Business & Industry Association
Council of the Great Lakes Region
Davis Chamber of Commerce
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
Daytona Regional Chamber
Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce
Detroit Regional Chamber
Dinuba Chamber of Commerce
Economic Alliance Snohomish County
Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association
Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce
Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce
Ferndale Chamber of Commerce
Florida Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc
Gemini Shippers Association
Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce
Greater Memphis Chamber
Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Greater North Dakota Chamber
Greater OKC Chamber
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce
Greater Phoenix Chamber
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
Greater Spokane Incorporated
Greenville Chamber
Harford County Chamber of Commerce
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce
Hudson County Chamber of Commerce
Imaging Supplies Coalition (ISC)
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indy Chamber
International Association of Drilling Contractors
Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Iowa Chamber Alliance
Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
Jerome 20/20, Inc.
Johnson City/Jonesborough/Wash. County Chamber of Commerce
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Kansas Chamber
Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce
La Pine Chamber Of Commerce
Lancaster Chamber
Laredo Chamber of Commerce
Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce
Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Longview Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce
Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
Marana Chamber of Commerce
Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce
Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Massachusetts Package Stores Association
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Meade County Chamber of Commerce
Metro Atlanta Chamber
Metro South Chamber of Commerce
Michigan City Chamber of Commerce
Minneapolis Regional Chamber
Mississippi Economic Council – The State Chamber of Commerce
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Monroe Chamber of Commerce
Montana Chamber of Commerce
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
National Tooling and Machining Association
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
North Carolina Chamber
North Country Chamber of Commerce
North Orange County Chamber of Commerce
North San Antonio Chamber
North San Diego Business Chamber
North Texas Commission
North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Oxnard Chamber of Commerce
Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Perry County Chamber of Commerce, LLC
Plano Chamber of Commerce
Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce
Precision Machined Products Association
Precision Metalforming Association
Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel
Valley Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce
Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce
Rolling Meadows Chamber
Salt Lake Chamber
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce
Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce
Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce
Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
South Bend Regional Chamber
South County Chamber of Commerce
Southwest California Legislative Council
Specialty Equipment Market Association
Spencer County Regional Chamber of Commerce
St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Stanly County Chamber of Commerce
State Chamber of Oklahoma
Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, INC
The Business Council of New York State
The Chamber Grand Forks East Grand Forks
The Chamber of Lawrence Kansas
The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County
The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
The Home Furnishings Association
The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
The Silicon Valley Organization
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce
Travel Goods Association
Traverse City (MI) Area Chamber of Commerce
Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Metro Chamber
Tulsa Regional Chamber
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Union County, KY Chamber of Commerce
United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
United States Council for International Business
Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce
Washington Retail Association
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce
White Pine Chamber of Commerce
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce
York County Economic Alliance
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce

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