[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 27, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Carper):
  S. 899. A bill to limit the authority of the President to modify duty 
rates for national security reasons and to limit the authority of the 
United States Trade Representative to impose certain duties or import 
restrictions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today Senator Carper and I introduced the 
Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019. Enacting this 
bill would restore the role on Congress in overseeing international 
trade matters.
  I have been outspoken against the abuse of executive authorities that 
have been delegated to the President. Congress has a Constitutional 
power to oversee international trade. We have recently seen an abuse of 
this power, as with other executive authorities. This bill would 
mandate expanded Congressional involvement in international trade 
decisions by requiring the Trump Administration--and future 
Administrations--to further analyze, communicate, and justify tariff 
actions to Congress. Congress would then review new tariffs and if the 
Administration used national security to justify the tariffs' need, 
Congress would be required to approve them.
  I am advocating for my colleagues to consider supporting this bill, 
especially as the damaging effects of the ongoing trade war continue. 
It's time for Congress to step in and act on our Constitutional duty.
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