Highlight any text to annotate

# Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026 This bill would transfer control of major trade actions from the President back to Congress by requiring congressional approval before the government can impose tariffs or take other significant trade actions. Currently, presidents can unilaterally impose tariffs under several existing laws related to national security, unfair trade practices, and import competition. Under this legislation, the President would have to propose such actions to a new joint congressional committee, which would then make a recommendation to Congress. Congress would then have 30 days to pass a joint resolution approving the action. Any approved action would last for 180 days unless Congress votes to extend it, and all future trade agreements that bind the United States would require an act of Congress to take effect. The bill affects the President's executive authority and expands Congress's role in trade policy. It creates a 10-member Joint Committee on Tariffs and Trade made up of members from the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, along with new congressional staff positions to oversee trade negotiations and enforcement. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative would be moved outside the Executive Office of the President and would receive an Inspector General. The bill contains no specific funding allocations but establishes that joint committee expenses would be split evenly between Senate and House contingent funds. There are no specific timelines beyond the 120-day deadline for appointing the Inspector General.

Add a comment

Sign in to comment on this bill.

Annotate the text

Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.