U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) announced that he will introduce legislation to restrict the president’s power to impose tariffs, arguing that President Trump’s recent actions are “not what we voted for.” Citing concerns raised on Wall Street, Bacon—an outspoken Ukraine supporter who backed the partisan January 6 Committee—emphasized the need for this new measure. “It’s time that Congress restores its authorities here,” Bacon said during an appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
The Nebraska lawmaker went on to argue that the Constitution is “clear” on the issue, giving Congress “the power of tariffs and taxes, and we gave some of that power to the executive branch,” which he called a “mistake.” Bacon’s bill will be introduced as a companion measure to legislation put forward in the Senate by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) aimed at reasserting Congress’ authority over trade policy. Known as the Trade Review Act of 2025, the Senate proposal would require the president to provide Congress with 48 hours’ notice before imposing or raising tariffs.
The president must provide an analysis of potential impacts, and lawmakers will have the opportunity to draft a joint resolution. “I enjoyed listening to Senator Cantwell. I support the legislation that Senator Grassley, Senator Cantwell, we have a total of seven Republicans in the Senate, and I have some beginning support on the House side, which we’ll unveil tomorrow,” Bacon told CBS News.
“It will be harder to pass this in the House. No doubt. I think if we get 60 votes in the Senate, they’ll put pressure on the House to look at this. And if we continue to see the stock market go a certain direction, or if we see inflation or unemployment shift in a bad way, I think then this bill becomes a very viable bill,” he added. “So it will not pass tomorrow, or maybe in the next couple of weeks, but this will be in the queue that we can use, and it’s time that Congress restores its authorities here.”
Cantwell, who also appeared on “Face The Nation” on Sunday, expressed satisfaction over getting seven Republican senators to co-sponsor the legislation. “So usually you don’t get first introduction and get so many people on board, but I think it shows the anxiety that people have,” Cantwell said, noting that the plan has received glowing reviews from Wall Street.