Momentum Growing: Large and Small Business Orgs Line Up Behind Bipartisan Cantwell Trade Bill Due to Concerns Costs on Consumer Goods Will Rise, She Announces On Face the Nation

04.06.25

Momentum Growing: Large and Small Business Orgs Line Up Behind Bipartisan Cantwell Trade Bill Due to Concerns Costs on Consumer Goods Will Rise, She Announces On Face the Nation

70% of U.S. GDP is consumer spending - new tariffs and falling consumer confidence will shrink the economy, not grow it

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced on CBS's Face the Nation that nine major U.S. business organizations have endorsed her new bipartisan legislation that would reassert Congress' role in overseeing trade and roll back the president's ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.

"Organizations who know their bread and butter comes from consumer spending, which is a big part of our economy … are very anxious about a plan," said Sen. Cantwell.

"Consumers are saying: 'How is this helping me in a time of inflation? You are adding to my costs with a tax on my consumer goods.' And so I think that's why we are gaining support from these organizations today."

These organizations have announced their support for the legislation; statements by most are below:

1. Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
2. Retail Industry Leaders Association
3. American Apparel & Footwear Association
4. USA Pulses Coalition
5. Outdoor Industry Association
6. Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
7. Main Street Alliance
8. Washington Council on International Trade
9. Washington Distillers Guild

Video of Sen. Cantwell's appearance on Face the Nation can be found HERE, audio HERE and a transcript HERE.

The bipartisan Trade Review Act currently has a total of 14 co-sponsors - seven Democrats and seven Republicans.

Statements of Support for Trade Review Act:

Consumer Technology Association

"The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) applauds Senators Maria Cantwell and Chuck Grassley for introducing the Trade Review Act of 2025 at this deeply concerning time when tariffs are about to destroy the U.S. economy. This bipartisan legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring that tariffs and trade policies are established transparently and democratically. By requiring the President to explain the reasoning and impacts of new tariffs to Congress within 48 hours and setting a 60-day expiration unless explicitly approved by Congress, this act reaffirms Congress' essential role in shaping U.S. trade policy. This is a necessary step by the Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority on trade from the executive branch. We urge Senators in both parties to sponsor and pass it." -- Ed Brzytwa, Vice President of International Trade, CTA

Retail Industry Leaders Association

"Congress is vested by the Constitution with the power to levy taxes and it should play an integral role in deciding what tariffs are imposed to protect American industry and families. Tariffs are taxes and have the potential to hit family budgets hard by pushing up prices on clothes, school supplies, food and other household goods. By one estimate, the tariffs announced yesterday will cost the average American family a staggering $2,100. We applaud Senators Chuck Grassley and Maria Cantwell for introducing the Trade Review Act of 2025, an important step for Congress in upholding its Constitutional role in tax and trade policy. The nation's leading retailers urge Congress to pass this legislation." -- Blake Harden, Vice President of International Trade, Retail Industry Leaders Association

American Apparel & Footwear Association

"We welcome the introduction of the Trade Review Act of 2025 and urge its immediate consideration and enactment. Durable and predictable trade policy requires greater transparency and robust consultation with stakeholders and Congress, which is not happening now. With 97 percent of the goods?we sell in the U.S.?being imported,?and with 96 percent of the people who wear?clothes and shoes on the planet living outside our borders, successful fashion companies need access to global consumers and suppliers to compete. That's only possible with active Congressional participation in trade policy. On behalf of the 3.5 million trade dependent American workers in our industry, we thank?Senators Cantwell and Grassley for their leadership on this legislation and for their efforts to restore Congressional primacy on trade and tariff policy, as enshrined in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution." -?Steve Lamar, President and CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association

USA Pulses Coalition

"USA Pulses would like to thank Senator Grassley and Senator Cantwell for introducing legislation to review and approve changes to tariffs on countries that could impact grower sales of pulses (dry peas, lentils, chickpeas and dry beans) and the processors and exporters who provide needed jobs in rural America. We applaud their bipartisan leadership on this important issue. Free and fair trade is important to everyone in rural America and this legislation would give Congress the opportunity to review the potential impacts of increased tariffs on the rural economy and vote on their approval."

Main Street Alliance

"Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs are a direct hit to working families and small businesses-jacking up prices on everyday goods and costing households $3,000-$4,000 a year. It's a tax hike on the middle class, just as inflation cools. Worse, it's a sleight of hand-meant to distract Americans from the massive tax breaks Trump is promising billionaires and big corporations. Tariffs aren't strategy-they're sabotage. Congress must pass the Trade Review Act of 2025 and stop this economic shell game before Main Street pays the price." - Richard Trent, Executive Director, Main Street Alliance

Washington Council on International Trade

"The secret sauce for the U.S. form of government isn't a secret - it is built on checks and balances to ensure a balanced, thoughtful approach. Trade policy is one area that is out of balance. Congress needs to reassert its role in trade policy, including trade agreements and tariffs. We applaud Senators Cantwell and Grassley's leadership to restore Congressional oversight on tariffs and urge Congress to quickly approve the Trade Review Act of 2025. It maintains the ability of the President to quickly enact tariffs in response to emergency situations while also guaranteeing Congressional agreement." - Lori Otto Punke, President, Washington Council on International Trade

Washington Distillers Guild

"The WA Distillers' Guild supports the bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Cantwell and Grassley to provide oversight, structure and accountability to the tariff process. Our Main Street, family owned small businesses need certainty in everyday operations and adding rules based oversight from Congress will help to ensure that the tariffs enacted help American manufacturers." -- Mhairi Voelsgen, President, Washington Distillers Guild

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