Bill would reassert Congress’ voice in trade policy, supporters say

April 10, 2025 | Bethany Baratta

Bipartisan legislation recently introduced would reestablish Congress’ role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy.

Senate Finance Committee Members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a former chairman of the committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the legislation last week.

“For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch,” Grassley said. “Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I’m joining Senator Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan “Trade Review Act of 2025” to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy,” Grassley said.

If passed, the “Trade Review Act of 2025” would require congressional approval of tariffs proposed by the executive branch.

The bill restores Congress’ authority and responsibility over tariffs as outlined in Article I, Section 8.

Under this legislation, the president must notify Congress of the imposition of (or increase in) the tariff within 48 hours. The notification must include an explanation of the president’s reasoning for imposing or raising the tariff and provide analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers, according to the bill’s text.

Within 60 days, Congress must pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff, otherwise all new tariffs on imports expire after that deadline.

The bill, as presented by Senator Grassley and Senator Cantwell says Congress has the ability to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval. It notes that anti-dumping and countervailing duties are excluded.

In a call with reporters recently, Grassley said he tried to do something similar in 2019 and 2020 with working groups in the finance committee, and “didn’t make progress.”

Grassley said he’s bringing the issue up now not because of the current tariffs, but because the tariffs are top of mind.

“I’m doing it because he (the president) brings the issue up. People are listening to things about tariffs, it gives me a chance to talk about the constitutional responsibilities under Article One of the Constitution, one of the 18 powers for Congress to regulate interstate and foreign commerce; gives me a chance to educate people about the ‘63 and ‘74 trade bills that delegated so much of this authority to the president of the United States; and it gives me an opportunity to say that Congress made a mistake in those trade bills, and we ought to correct it,” he said.

Additional cosponsors of the bill are Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).

“Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) appreciates Senator Grassley’s leadership on this critical issue, especially given the timeliness of tariffs,” said Katie Hall, senior director of advocacy at ISA. “We remain committed to working with the administration to ensure Iowa soybeans have viable market opportunities.”

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