Earlier this year, Sen. Cantwell introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025, which is modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and would reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
Reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without Congressional approval by supporting the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025.
Occurrences
Sen. Cantwell recently introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy, and reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs.
cosponsored the Trade Review Act of 2025 with Senators Cantwell and Grassley to reassert congressional authority over tariffs.
Evidence
On April 3, 2025, Senators Maria Cantwell and Chuck Grassley introduced the Trade Review Act of 2025, aiming to reestablish limits on the president's ability to impose unilateral tariffs without Congressional approval.
On April 7, 2025, the Trump Administration issued a statement strongly opposing the Trade Review Act of 2025, indicating that if presented, the President would veto the bill.
As of April 3, 2025, the Trade Review Act of 2025 (S.1272) was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
By April 5, 2025, the Trade Review Act of 2025 had garnered bipartisan support with 13 co-sponsors, including Senators from both parties.
On April 3, 2025, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued a statement urging Congress to pass the Trade Review Act of 2025, emphasizing the need for Congressional oversight on tariffs.
On March 2, 2026, Senators Cantwell and Murray introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, aiming to refund tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, indicating ongoing efforts to address tariff issues.
On April 3, 2025, Senator Maria Cantwell introduced S.1272, the Trade Review Act of 2025, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
On April 7, 2025, Representative Don Bacon introduced H.R.2665, the Trade Review Act of 2025, which was referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and Rules.
Senators Maria Cantwell and Chuck Grassley introduced bipartisan legislation to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. The Trade Review Act of 2025 would reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
The Trump Administration strongly opposes S. 1272, the Trade Review Act of 2025, and has issued a veto threat against the bill.
Senators Cantwell and Murray introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026 to require full refunds, with interest, of tariffs deemed illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose certain tariffs, declaring them illegal.
Senator Cantwell requested a detailed explanation from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on how the Department plans to refund tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court.
Senator Klobuchar introduced legislation to repeal the president's latest tariffs and cosponsored the Trade Review Act of 2025 with Senators Cantwell and Grassley to reassert congressional authority over tariffs.
Assessments
Senator Cantwell fulfilled her promise to introduce and support the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025, which sought to reestablish Congressional limits over the president's ability to impose unilateral tariffs. Multiple sources confirm the introduction and bipartisan sponsorship of the Act, as well as additional legislative and oversight efforts related to tariffs. However, the Trump Administration issued a veto threat and the bill did not become law. Thus, while significant and good-faith legislative effort was made, the substantive promised outcome—enacting new limits on unilateral presidential tariffs—was not delivered.
Senator Cantwell fulfilled her promise to support the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 by introducing S.1272 and championing the bill with bipartisan co-sponsors. The legislation gathered support and was referred to committee in both chambers, and Cantwell participated in related legislative activity addressing presidential tariff authority. However, the Trump Administration issued a veto threat against the Trade Review Act of 2025, and there is no evidence the bill was enacted or that the promised limits on the president's tariff powers became law in the same term. Substantial and timely legislative effort is clear, but the outcome was never delivered due to external opposition.
Senator Cantwell co-introduced the Trade Review Act of 2025 and secured bipartisan co-sponsorship and industry support, demonstrating significant legislative effort to reestablish Congressional control over presidential tariff authority. However, the Act did not pass due to strong opposition and a veto threat from the Trump Administration. No evidence indicates the bill or equivalent legislation was ever enacted. Cantwell upheld her promise by leading efforts to introduce and promote the bill, but the outcome was not delivered due to external blockage.