1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to fulfill one of Congress’s most fundamental constitutional responsibilities: reclaim authority over the nation’s tariff policy and act immediately to restore stability to our economy. Like many Americans, I am deeply concerned about rising costs, market uncertainty, and the unpredictability created by shifting tariff policies. Businesses cannot plan investments, families cannot confidently budget, and consumers continue to bear the burden of higher prices. Regardless of one’s views on trade policy, the current uncertainty is damaging our economy and eroding confidence in our government’s ability to provide consistent leadership. The Supreme Court recently made clear that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the President to impose sweeping tariffs under the authority that has been claimed. In doing so, the Court reaffirmed a basic constitutional principle: Article I of the Constitution places the power to levy duties and tariffs in the hands of Congress, not the Executive Branch, unless Congress has clearly delegated that authority. This should not be viewed as a partisan issue. It is a constitutional one. Our system of government depends upon the separation of powers. When one branch exceeds its constitutional authority, it is the responsibility of the others to respond. Congress was not designed to simply observe while executive power expands. It was designed to legislate, to provide oversight, and to defend the constitutional balance established by our Founders. I am disappointed that Congress has largely failed to exercise that responsibility. Regardless of whether you support higher tariffs, lower tariffs, or a targeted trade strategy, those decisions should be debated openly in Congress, where elected representatives are accountable to the American people. Major economic policies that affect every family and business should not depend on unilateral executive action. I urge you to take concrete action to restore Congress’s constitutional role in trade policy. Support legislation that reasserts congressional authority over tariffs, insist on meaningful oversight of executive trade actions, and work across party lines to establish a predictable and lawful framework for American trade policy. Our economy needs certainty, our businesses need stability, and our Constitution deserves to be respected. The American people expect Congress to do more than react to constitutional overreach after the fact. We expect you to defend the institution in which you serve and the oath you took to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I respectfully ask you to put constitutional principles above partisan politics and act now to restore stability, accountability, and the proper balance of powers. Thank you for your time and your service. I look forward to your response explaining what specific actions you intend to take to ensure that Congress fulfills its constitutional responsibility over tariff policy.