MENG ADVANCES MEASURE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES ACCESS TARIFF REFUNDS

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng's (D-NY) bipartisan provision to help small business owners access tariff refunds unanimously passed the House Appropriations Committee as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

Meng, who serves as the top Democrat on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced an amendment to direct the Department of Commerce to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to U.S. small businesses that may be entitled to refunds. In February, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, the Administration announced a process to refund tariffs paid by American importers. The Trump Administration owes American businesses an estimated $166 billion plus interest. But because of the complexity of the application process, only around 15 percent of applications have been accepted by the government. Untold numbers of businesses have not even applied. Rep. Meng's amendment would direct the Department of Commerce to provide badly needed assistance to small businesses that may be eligible for refunds.

Speaking before the Appropriations Committee, the Congresswoman said, "In my district in Queens, New York, I have heard from numerous small business owners trying to navigate the IEEPA tariff refund process. And I know I'm not alone. Small businesses typically don't have lawyers on retainer or dedicated compliance teams like large corporations do…So far, about a third of applicants have been denied their refunds due to technical errors when filing a claim. Most of the small business owners I have spoken to in my district tell me that they don't even know if they are eligible-or where they would file a claim. American small business owners work long days, nights, and weekends. It's often a struggle from one invoice to the next. They do not have the time or resources to navigate customs or trade law... Small businesses already turn to Commerce on trade and tariff issues, and we should ensure that Commerce is engaging with them to address the tariff-related challenges they are facing right now. The Department has the resources, avenues, and expertise to help our small businesses. Why wouldn't we use them?"

On April 2, 2025, "Liberation Day", President Trump announced sweeping tariffs, launching a trade war against almost every country across the globe. Since then, tariff costs have tripled for small-business importers and American families, who have already paid an estimated $1,700 more due to the illegal tariffs.

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacks the authority under the IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs. Then, in April, the Administration launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) to manage IEEPA tariff refunds.

Congresswoman Meng is a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding the federal government's agencies, programs and activities. She serves as Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Commerce.

A copy of the amendment can be viewed here.