McConnell Statement on Supreme Court Tariff Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement following the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision invalidating the executive's use of IEEPA to impose tariffs unilaterally:

"Today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed authority that has rested with Congress for centuries.

"As a matter of policy, the empty merits of sweeping trade wars with America's friends were evident long before today's decision. The American people already know that when Washington throws up artificial barriers, building and buying here at home become more expensive. Kentuckians whose livelihoods depend on auto manufacturing, agricultural commodity markets, or demand for bourbon whiskey understand this painful reality better than most.

"But as a matter of Constitutional authority, there is now no room for doubt: the use of IEEPA to circumvent Congress in the imposition of tariffs - already without precedent - is also illegal.

"Congress' role in trade policy, as I have warned repeatedly, is not an inconvenience to avoid. If the executive would like to enact trade policies that impact American producers and consumers, its path forward is crystal clear: convince their representatives under Article 1."

***

For your reference, please find other recent comments from Senator McConnell regarding tariffs HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Permalink: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/2/mcconnell-statement-on-supreme-court-tariff-ruling