U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on their resolutions that would terminate President Trump’s authority to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada. This latest effort by Stanton and Meeks to force a vote on the tariffs comes after Republicans used a procedural move to block the vote last March.
“Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Mexico are a self-inflicted economic wound. Our economies are deeply linked, and this reckless threat is driving up costs for American families and businesses,” said Rep. Stanton. “Worse, it undermines global trust in the United States and opens the door for China to gain ground. No President should have unchecked authority to impose sweeping tariffs—Congress must act to restore balance and accountability.”
“As the Republican majority is laser focused on cutting Medicaid and food assistance to America’s working class in order to give tax cuts to the wealthy, Democrats in Congress are working to lower costs for all American families by ending Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada,” said Rep. Meeks. “These 25% tariffs on our two largest trading partners are nothing but a tax on American families. They have raised costs on everyday goods, devastated businesses and created widespread economic uncertainty. Republicans know these taxes are deeply unpopular, which is why they have done everything they can to block a vote. As Members of Congress, we were elected to Congress to take tough votes, not dodge them. That’s why today I am introducing discharge petitions to force a vote. It is time for my Republican colleagues to go on the record and make clear whether they stand with their constituents or with Trump’s reckless trade war that hurts American families.”
In March, Stanton led a resolution to terminate Trump’s unlawful use of “emergency” authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which he has used to justify tariffs based on a fabricated national emergency. He has also backed the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act to stop the President of the United States from imposing tariffs under the guise of a national emergency without Congressional approval, and the Congressional Trade Authority Act to require the president to submit to Congress any proposal to adjust tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.