As your constituent, I demand that Congress immediately reclaim its exclusive constitutional authority over tariffs and all federal revenue measures. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution is unmistakably clear: Congress—not the President—has the power to “lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.”
Tariffs are taxes. They raise federal revenue and increase costs for American families and businesses. The Constitution deliberately placed this power in the hands of Congress so that no single president could unilaterally impose taxes on the American people.
For too long, Congress has allowed presidents of both parties to stretch emergency authorities far beyond their intended purpose. That surrender of legislative power has undermined the separation of powers and weakened the checks and balances that protect our republic.
The Trump administration’s sweeping tariff policies have imposed massive costs on consumers, disrupted supply chains, increased prices, and created uncertainty for American businesses. Whether someone supports or opposes tariffs as economic policy is beside the point. The constitutional question is simple: Who has the authority to impose them? The Constitution answers that question—Congress does.
Congress must stop delegating away one of its core constitutional responsibilities. Repeal or significantly narrow the statutes that have been used to justify unilateral tariffs, reassert congressional approval over all major tariff actions, and restore accountability to the legislative branch where the Constitution requires it.
If Congress continues to surrender its own powers, it cannot claim to be defending the Constitution. The Framers entrusted the power to tax and raise revenue to the representatives of the people—not to a single individual in the White House.
Honor your oath. Defend the Constitution. Take back Congress’s revenue powers now.
Sign Petition
