After unveiling “Liberation Day” tariffs last week, President Donald Trump’s administration warned Monday that he would veto a Senate bill giving Congress more authority over future levies.
The Office of Management and Budget sent a statement of administration policy to senators in response to the “Trade Review Act of 2025,” which has support from Republicans and Democrats in the upper chamber.
“If passed, this bill would dangerously hamper the President’s authority and duty to determine our foreign policy and protect our national security,” said the statement. “If S. 1272 were presented to the President, he would veto the bill.”
The “Trade Review Act of 2025” requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing a tariff, providing reasoning for the duties, as well as an impact analysis on American businesses and consumers.
In addition, the bill mandates congressional approval via a joint resolution within 60 days for the tariffs to remain in effect. It also allows Congress to terminate tariffs at any time, excluding anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the bill on Thursday — less than 24 hours after Trump unveiled his “Liberation Day” tariffs that have a 10% baseline and higher rates against some countries.
Other Republican members have since co-sponsored the legislation, including Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Todd Young (R-IN).
“Make no mistake: goods made in America will be more expensive to manufacture and, ultimately, for consumers to purchase, with higher broad-based tariffs,” McConnell, former Senate GOP leader, said last week.
For the “Trade Review Act of 2025” to reach Trump, it would need to pass the House and Senate, both of which are under narrow Republican control. To override a veto, a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of Congress is required.
On Sunday, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) told CBS that he supports the Senate bill, saying he believes it becomes “very viable” if “we continue to see the stock market go a certain direction, or if we see inflation or unemployment shift in a bad way.”
