U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on April 7 sponsored the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to rein in the president’s ability to levy tariffs by increasing congressional oversight of the executive branch’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.
“Congress has the power of the purse,” Rep. Bacon said. “Our founders created checks and balances for a reason.”
The congressman introduced H.R. 2665 alongside three original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), to return Congress’ constitutionally authorized role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy by requiring that unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch receive congressional authority.
“The Constitution clearly gives the authority for taxes and tariffs to Congress, but for too long, we have handed that authority to the executive branch,” said Rep. Bacon. “This is less about the actual tariffs laid by the Trump administration — some of which I support because they are reciprocal — but more a commitment to uphold the Constitution.”
If enacted, the measure would establish a process for congressional review of new or increased tariffs imposed by the president and specifically would require the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing a duty on imported goods, including an explanation and an assessment of its impact on U.S. businesses and consumers.
Additionally, the bill would limit the duration of such duties to 60 days, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval to extend them, and would allow Congress to end the duty early by passing a joint resolution of disapproval, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bacon’s office.
The bill also would exclude antidumping and countervailing duties, which are governed by other statutes, and provide expedited procedures in Congress for considering resolutions of approval or disapproval, the summary says.
H.R. 2665 is the companion bill to the same-named S. 1272, introduced on April 3 by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).