Press Releases

Today, New Democrat Coalition Trade & Tariffs Task Force Chair Don Beyer (VA-08) issued a statement after the Supreme Court ruled that the President violated federal law by illegally exceeding his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs. Chair Beyer previously called on the Supreme Court to limit the President’s use of emergency powers following oral arguments in this case last November. 

“For nearly a year, President Trump has raised prices for the American people, depressed job growth and put our economic wellbeing at risk. He has repeatedly disregarded the Constitution to unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs without credible reason or cause, crushing American consumers and small businesses under these new taxes to help pay for giveaways to his wealthy friends. Now, at last, the Supreme Court has ruled that he broke the law to do so. 

“Even Trump's Supreme Court allies, who have bent over backwards to give him unprecedented powers over and over again, had to admit that his tariffs are unconstitutional and illegal. 

“While this is a win for the American people and American businesses who will no longer have to pay these taxes, much of the damage is done. Manufacturers closed their doors and let go of workers as their costs skyrocketed. Small businesses have shuttered, and those that survived will have a hard time claiming the money they are owed under this framework, while consumers who have paid more for everyday necessities will likely never receive a refund. 

“These brutal losses could have been avoided if Congressional Republicans had the courage to stand up to Trump and end his trade war sooner. The American people will remember who fought for affordability and who called it a hoax.”