Representatives Scholten, Landsman, Tran Introduce Legislation To Assess True Costs Of Trump’s Tariffs On Price Of Everyday Goods

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten, Greg Landsman, and Derek Tran, co-chairs of the Lowering Costs Caucus, introduced the Toll of Tariffs Act, new legislation that would require the United States International Trade Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the inflationary impact of President Trump’s tariffs. 

“If congressional Republicans continue to forfeit their constitutional authority over tariff policy, we’re going to fight back. Setting tariffs belongs with the American people, through their representatives in Congress,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “Americans are already suffering the consequences of the Trump Administration’s policies: prices are up on everything from coffee to beef to school supplies. In addition to jacking up prices for families across the nation, these tariffs were single-handedly imposed through executive action, bypassing Congress’s constitutional role in setting trade policy. Congress must ensure trade decisions are being made transparently and with the best interests of everyday Americans at heart. As a founder of the Lowering Costs Caucus, I am committed to tackling the affordability crisis and restoring the basic promise of this country: that hard work should pay off, and that everyone deserves a fair shot. I am proud to introduce this important legislation to give consumers a full and complete picture on how tariffs are raising prices. Americans deserve the truth..” 

“Trump’s trade war is driving up costs for American families and businesses — making life harder for everyone. Folks deserve the facts about how these trade wars are impacting them. Our bill will make sure Congress and the American people know exactly how these policies are raising prices and hurting our economy,” said Representative Landsman. 

“We already know that President Trump’s reckless trade wars are taking a toll on working families’ wallets,” said Representative Tran. “Delivering real economic relief starts with exposing the true cost of tariffs and holding this Administration accountable for the damaging impacts of its policies that are making even the most basic necessities unaffordable for hard-working Americans. I’m proud to join my fellow Lowering Costs Caucus Co-Chairs to introduce the Toll of Tariffs Act and take meaningful steps toward bringing down the cost of living for families across Orange and LA Counties."

The Toll of Tariffs Act directs the United States International Trade Commission to carry out a study on the inflationary impact of the tariffs imposed by Trump’s executive orders and to report its findings to Congress within 6 months. This work complements Rep. Scholten’s efforts to rein in the misuse of emergency powers to impose tariffs without congressional approval, ensuring trade policy reflects the will of the people, not unilateral executive action. Specifically, Rep. Scholten is a cosponsor of H.R. 407, the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, a bill to prohibit the President from exercising authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose duties, tariff-rate quotas, or other quotas on imports entering the United States. Rep. Scholten also supports H.J.Res. 91, which would terminate the national emergency declared by President Trump on April 2, that is the statutory authority being cited for the president’s reciprocal tariffs.

In June, Congresswoman Scholten, Congressman Landsman, and Congressman Tran launched the Lowering Costs Caucus. The caucus aims to support legislation that delivers meaningful economic relief for hard-working families and to call out policies that make life more expensive for families across the country. This effort underscores the members' ongoing commitment to fighting for policies that help families get ahead, not just get by.

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