At least a dozen House Republicans are weighing whether to support a new bill introduced by Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska that would place limits on the White House’s power to impose tariffs without congressional approval. The move marks a noticeable split from President Trump, who has already threatened to veto the legislation if it makes it through Congress.
Bacon confirmed that two of his Republican colleagues Reps. Jeff Hurd of Colorado and Dan Newhouse of Washington along with two Democrats, have formally signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. He added that another ten Republicans have shown interest but want to speak with the U.S. Trade Representative before making a commitment.
Under the proposed legislation, any tariff imposed by the president would automatically expire after 60 days unless Congress votes to affirm it through a resolution of approval. It would also give lawmakers the ability to cancel any existing tariff at any time through a resolution of disapproval.
In the Senate, a similar version of the bill is being co-sponsored by a bipartisan group including Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington. The bill is gaining traction among members concerned about the economic consequences of Trump’s aggressive trade policy.
One House Republican, who asked not to be named to avoid backlash from the Trump administration, acknowledged plans to co-sponsor the bill. The lawmaker noted that while Trump’s tariffs have had some benefits, they’ve also caused significant strain for farmers and agricultural producers in their district. They emphasized that Congress has a constitutional responsibility to act as a check on executive authority, especially in matters that impact the economy so broadly.
Still, not all Republicans are ready to confront the White House on trade. Some lawmakers who are sympathetic to the idea of the bill have said Trump’s veto threat is giving them pause and making them hesitant to openly support the legislation.
Bacon said he has no immediate plans to force the bill to the floor, but he’s leaving the door open. He believes the issue may become more urgent if economic indicators like stock market instability, rising inflation, or increasing unemployment begin to worsen in the coming months.
He added that there is a real possibility he could eventually introduce a discharge petition a rarely used procedural maneuver that allows a bill to bypass leadership and head directly to a floor vote if at least 218 members sign on. For now, Bacon says the bill is intended to sit and build momentum, offering a legislative path forward for Republicans and Democrats who believe it’s time for Congress to reclaim its role in trade policy even if that means challenging President Trump’s authority.