Legislative Update: Tariffs, Agriculture

For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.

Tariffs. The American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act (H.R. 7865, introduced March 9 by Rep. Cuellar, D-Texas) would provide direct refunds to taxpayers for increased consumer costs attributable to tariffs imposed without congressional authorization.

S. 4038 (introduced March 10 by Sen. Markey, D-Mass.) would exempt small businesses from Section 122 tariffs and prevent price gouging with respect to goods subject to such duties.

The Reclaim Trade Powers Act (S. 4049, introduced March 11 by Sen. Kaine, D-Va.) would repeal section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to balance-of-payments authority.

Agriculture. H.R. 7762 (introduced March 3 by Rep. Bishop, D-Ga.) would require the Department of Agriculture to establish a pilot program to provide recovery payments to producers of seasonal and perishable crops that experience low prices caused by imports.