Wyden Introduces Bill to Reassert Congressional Authority Over International Trade to Put Workers and Employers First, Not Presidential Cronies and Politically Connected[...]

Wyden Introduces Bill to Reassert Congressional Authority Over International Trade to Put Workers and Employers First, Not Presidential Cronies and Politically Connected Special Interests

The Congressional Trade Powers Act Puts Trade Policy Closer to the American People, Ensures New Transparency and Ends Decades of Executive Branch Overreach on Trade

Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced a bill to reassert that the United States Constitution gives Congress the authority over international trade, ending decades of executive branch overreach that has fueled public dissatisfaction with trade actions and emboldened Donald Trump's illegal and economically disastrous tariff spree.

The U.S. Constitution clearly provides Congress with authority over international trade and tariffs, but over the past 30 years, Congress has increasingly failed to stand up for its jurisdiction as multiple presidential administrations have shortchanged the legislative branch's role. Without stable congressional oversight to approve trade policies, America has faced abrupt policy changes between presidential administrations that have driven up costs for consumers and harmed workers and businesses

"Donald Trump has pushed the boundaries of power on trade and tariff policies like no other president we've seen before," Wyden said. "That's why I am introducing a bill to put Congress back in the driver's seat on international trade. Congress must reassert its authority over trade and tariffs to stop any president from being able to unilaterally change the worldwide economy at the click of a button. Trump's first-ever use of Section 338 of the Smoot Hawley Act to slap 50% tariffs on Canada at the expense of U.S. consumers, farmers and businesses is only the latest example of his reckless abuse of tariffs."

Over time, Congress has delegated a significant amount of its authority over international trade to the president. This delegation has resulted in trade policies driven by presidents and their administration officials rather than Congress, which is the branch of government that most directly represents the voice of Americans nationwide.

The Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026 would eliminate or reform the tariff authorities delegated to the president and ensure binding trade agreements are approved by Congress. These changes put Congress back in the driver's seat, providing certainty for small businesses, manufacturers, and exporters - all while enforcing a trade policy that reflects the interests of all Americans.

Specifically, this bill would:

• Limit the president's ability to impose tariffs by mandating congressional approval.
• Establish a bicameral congressional committee to review and make recommendations on tariffs actions proposed by the president.
  • The Joint Committee on Tariffs and Trade would be staffed on a nonpartisan basis involving economists, lawyers, and other international trade experts.
• Clarify that binding trade agreements require congressional approval.
• Increase oversight of USTR by moving the agency outside of the Executive Office of the President and installing an inspector general.

It is endorsed by the Main Street Alliance, Small Business Majority, the Progressive Policy Institute, and National Taxpayers Union.

Richard Trent, Main Street Alliance Executive Director: "The Main Street Alliance supports the Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026, led by Ron Wyden, as a smart fix to unpredictable trade policy that has created chaos for small business owners, driving up costs, disrupting supply chains, and making it harder to plan and grow. By restoring Congress's authority over tariffs and trade, this bill brings much-needed stability, transparency, and accountability, giving Main Street the certainty it needs to compete and succeed."

Ed Gresser, Progressive Policy Institute Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets: "We at PPI are excited and enthusiastic about Finance Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden's introduction of the Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026. Though good policy at any time, it is especially timely in this summer of 2026. His bill is the right response, providing a path back to Constitutionally appropriate policymaking, and actual trade policies centered on growth, lower inflation, and revived business competitiveness rather than crank theories and presidential whims."

Alexis D'Amato Falvey, Small Business Majority Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs: "Almost overnight, tariffs upended operations for countless small businesses, forcing them to take on higher costs, reduce inventory, or pass on their expenses to their customers -- all bad choices that have the potential to put a small firm out of business. And even after the U.S. Supreme Court said many of the originally imposed tariffs were unconstitutional, small businesses continue to be subject to widespread tariffs and ongoing uncertainty. Tariffs should never be imposed on a whim, which is why Congress must take the lead in approving and issuing new tariffs in order to provide a sense of stability to small businesses and the supply chains upon which they rely."

The text of the bill is here.

A one-pager on the bill is here.

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