Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance on Capitol Hill, Thursday, March 6, in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
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Mark Schiefelbein/AP
President Trump’s escalating tariffs on trading partners has not only rattled U.S. and international markets – it’s also set off alarm bells in Congress.
In response, a group of Senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to reign in presidential power on tariffs. Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa have introduced a bill requiring the president to notify Congress of impending tariffs within 48 hours. Congress would have to approve of the action within 60 days of notification.
President Trump has threatened to veto the bill that already had slim prospects of passing as it is unclear if it would even get a vote in the House.
In an interview with Morning Edition, Cantwell said “We are the conduit to those constituents. Those sectors of the economy, like agriculture or manufacturing or small business who are being hurt.”
NPR’s Leila Fadel spoke to Cantwell about the future of the bipartisan bill – and what she’s hearing from constituents affected by the tariffs.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.Â
Interview HighlightsÂ
Leila Fadel: What would the bill you’ve drafted accomplish if it became law?
Sen. Maria Cantwell: Congress constitutionally has the right on trade, really, if you think about it, on interstate commerce and foreign commerce. But this president has misconstrued and we think actually misused this authority. So we’re saying we want Congress to reassert itself in this debate and get approval for these unbelievable tariffs that are costing consumers so much money and ruining people’s 401(k) savings.
Fadel: Now, this is described as a bipartisan bill. You co-authored it with Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican. But how much Republican support is there for this bill? I mean, can it pass?
Cantwell: We have seven Republicans on the bill so far, which was just introduced last week. The House representatives introduced a bill with two Democrats and two Republicans. So it is continuing to be bipartisan, bicameral. And, I think, it’s because people are hearing from their constituents who are saying, “Wait, why am I paying this extra tax on these consumer goods? I don’t want to do it.”
Fadel: Now, the president has threatened to veto your bill if it ever comes to his desk. What would you do in that case if you get
