Restoring Constitutional Oversight and Protecting Constituent Finances

I am writing to you as a constituent deeply concerned about the current trajectory of our nation’s trade policy and the specific, measurable harm it is causing to the working and middle-class families in our district. While the administration frequently frames tariffs as a tax on foreign nations, the economic reality is that these are domestic consumption taxes. Independent, non-partisan analysis from the Yale Budget Lab and the Kiel Institute confirms that approximately 96% of these costs are passed directly to American buyers. For the average household, this has translated into an estimated $1,700 annual "tariff tax" on essentials. Since the Trump administration's initial round of tariffs in 2025, we have seen beef prices rise 16% and clothing rise 14%. To ignore these figures isn’t just a policy disagreement; it is a disregard for the financial reality of your constituents. Beyond the economic impact, I am alarmed by the continued bypass of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. The power to lay and collect duties resides with Congress, not the Executive. In February 2026, the Supreme Court affirmed this in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump. This landmark ruling was more than a victory for a single entity; it was a direct judicial rebuke of executive overreach, confirming that the use of emergency powers to impose broad tariffs was an unlawful stretch of statutory authority. By allowing the administration to pivot to Section 122 to maintain these global tariffs, you are effectively consenting to an unconstitutional transfer of power. This is an abdication of your primary duty as a legislator. I urge you to support the bipartisan Stop Global Tariffs Act and the Tariff Refund Act of 2026. These bills would reclaim Congressional authority, strike down these illegal taxes, and ensure that the billions of dollars in unlawfully collected duties are returned to the American people rather than being absorbed into the federal budget. I am looking for an elected official who will prioritize the economic stability of middle-class families and the integrity of the Constitution over party loyalty or administrative rhetoric. Please be aware that your stance on these tariffs—and your willingness to exercise your authority to oversee trade—will be a primary factor in my voting decisions and my advocacy within our community during the next election cycle. I look forward to a response detailing your plan to restore Congressional oversight and provide relief to your constituents.