U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) is supporting bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation released on Wednesday that would limit the president’s power to levy tariffs on imported goods for national security reasons.
“Trade actions with sweeping repercussions, like the implementation of Section 232 tariffs, should not lie exclusively within the authority of the executive branch,” said Rep. LaHood, referring to the import tariffs issued by President Donald Trump against China under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Rep. LaHood was joined by U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) in introducing the Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019, which hasn’t yet received an assigned number in the congressional record.
“Congress has a constitutional role in this process and that is why I am joining this bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act,” Rep. LaHood said. “I look forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to ensure Congress is properly consulted on trade actions of critical importance to our farmers and manufacturers in central and west-central Illinois.”
Companion legislation was introduced the same day in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).
The bills would require the president to have congressional approval before taking trade actions like tariffs and quotas under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which currently permits the president to impose such tariffs without approval from Congress.
“While I appreciate the administration’s efforts to go after bad trade actors, implementation of Section 232 tariffs has resulted in increased costs for consumers and retaliatory trade actions that have hindered the ability of producers in the Midwest to sell their products and have access to open markets,” Rep. LaHood said.
If enacted, the bill would give members of Congress a 60-day review period once the president submits a proposal. A joint resolution to approve the president’s proposal would qualify for expedited consideration in both chambers, according to a summary of the legislation provided by Rep. LaHood’s office.
Additionally, the requirement would apply to all Section 232 actions taken within the last four years, as well as all future Section 232 actions.
The bill also would transfer national security investigatory authority to the U.S. Department of Defense. Right now, the U.S. Commerce Department has the authority to analyze such tariffs and make recommendations to the president on whether to invoke national security.
“The bipartisan Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act seeks to put guardrails on the administration’s broad authority by requiring it to provide evidence of such national security threats and subsequent Congressional approval for Section 232 tariffs,” said Rep. Panetta. “As a separate but equal branch of government, it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that these tariffs are legitimate and supportive of our nation’s security and economic interests.”
Rep. LaHood supports the bill’s aspects to promote free trade, which he said has positively impacted agriculture, the top industry in his home state of Illinois. “Our agriculture producers and manufacturers need markets and customers to remain competitive in the global economy,” he added.
Adam Nielsen, national legislative director at the Illinois Farm Bureau echoed Rep. LaHood’s sentiments.
“Farmers across our state are feeling economic harm from retaliation to steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by some of our closet trading partners,” Nielsen said. “Illinois Farm Bureau supports congressional efforts — like this bill — that are motivated to end the retaliation.”
The legislation also has the support of numerous groups, including Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, the Beer Institute, the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, the Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Heritage Action for America, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, the Precision Machined Products Association, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among many others.