Corker Companion Bill on Congressional Approval of Tariffs Introduced in House

A bipartisan bill that would require congressional approval before tariffs are imposed on national security grounds was introduced in the House of Representatives July 11. Like the so-far-unsuccessful efforts of Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the bill would be retroactive. The Section 232 tariffs and quotas on aluminum and steel would be rolled back after passage, and approval of those actions would be needed before they could resume.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who often decries tariffs, has never committed to bringing up legislation that would constrain the president's ability to raise tariffs under Section 232. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has said he doesn't believe in wasting floor time on bills that can't become law.

Rep Ted Poe, R-Texas, spoke approvingly of the Senate vote earlier this week that asked conferees to add language to a spending bill package that says Congress should have a role in determining Section 232 tariffs. Even with the 88-11 vote, the conferees are under no obligation to add that language, and the language would not do anything to constrain the president's ability to impose tariffs on autos and auto parts, as he has repeatedly threatened to do. Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., another champion of Corker's push, told reporters that a binding vote would not have passed.

Poe said, "I think Congress should weigh in on those specific issues. The problem right now is not Canada, or Germany, it's China. We need to focus on China and deal with them first. And then move on to other countries if necessary." When asked if such a bill to constrain the president on Section 232 could get a vote in the House, he smiled and said anything's possible.