RELEASE: Gottheimer Leads Bipartisan Bill to Restore Congressional Trade Authority

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, April 8, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), with U.S. Congressmen Don Bacon (NE-2), Gregory Meeks (NY-5), and Jeff Hurd (CO-3), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to restore Congress’ constitutional authority to oversee foreign trade. The Trade Review Act would limit the President’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs without the approval of Congress and stop these reckless tariffs. These sweeping tariffs have hit Americans’ retirement savings and are already sending prices soaring, amounting to a $3,800-a-year tax increase.

President Trump is abusing the trade powers Congress afforded the White House in 1974. 

“When people are already struggling with higher costs, we must do everything possible to make their lives more affordable. President Trump’s tariffs are doing just the opposite — raising the cost of nearly everything from coffee to cars and clothing while slashing people’s retirement savings and sending markets plummeting. It’s basically a new $3,800 a year tax on Jersey families,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why I’m introducing the bipartisan Trade Review Act with Rep. Bacon to make clear that Congress has the constitutional authority to oversee foreign trade.”

“The Constitution clearly gives the authority to review and set interstate and foreign commerce to Congress, but for too long, we have handed that authority to the executive branch,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2). “This is not about the actual tariffs laid by the Trump Administration, many of which I support because they are reciprocal, but rather a commitment to uphold and stand for the Constitution. America has been subjected to many excessive tariffs by other countries for years, hurting consumers and workers. However, we need to follow the law of the land as written by our Founding Fathers.”

“For too long, presidents have wielded tariffs as political weapons rather than strategic tools. The Trade Review Act restores constitutional checks and balances by ensuring Congress has a voice before American families are hit with higher costs. If a president wants to raise taxes on the American people through tariffs, they should be required to explain why—and get Congressional approval to do it,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-5). 

“As a constitutional conservative, I am proud to co-lead the Trade Review Act of 2025, reasserting our congressional obligations in imposing tariffs,” said Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-3). “Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is clear: ‘The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.’ Just like Rep. Bacon, I believe this isn’t a political issue. Congress must reclaim its constitutionally mandated authority, and I would support this measure regardless of who is in the White House.”

In the last few days, President Trump’s sweeping tariffs have sent the markets reeling, with the S&P 500 falling nearly 6% in a single day and wiping out more than $5 trillion from the market. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve warned of slower growth and rising inflation — what Chair Jerome Powell called “tariff inflation” — and top economists from Moody’s and J.P. Morgan now see an increased risk of recession.

President Trump’s tariffs mark the largest tax hike on families in a generation, with costs estimated to increase by at least $3,800 a year for Jersey families and businesses, according to a Yale University study. According to the Bipartisan Tax Foundation, the U.S. economy could lose at least 600,000 jobs due to President Trump’s tariffs.

Find the bipartisan legislation here.

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