U.S. Representative Don Bacon has become the first Republican House member to come out against Donald Trump‘s tariffs, as he prepares to introduce a mirror bill to the bipartisan Senate legislation aimed at restoring congressional powers over the levies.
Bacon, of Nebraska, told Newsweek on Friday, “I look forward to working with Sen. Grassley to restore review and powers over tariffs to Congress.”
Why It Matters
Several Senate Republicans, including Trump allies, have raised concerns about the sweeping tariffs that sent global markets into a tailspin after they were announced on Wednesday.
Lawmakers have warned the tariffs could spark inflation and a recession, even as Trump insists that the tariffs will boost domestic manufacturing and balance “unfair” international trade.
Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican, recently joined Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington to introduce the bipartisan Senate bill that would allow Congress more control over future trade duties.
What To Know
Bacon’s move is unusual in Trump’s loyalist Republican-majority House. But this is not the first time he’s broken ranks to criticize the president.
In a New York Times op-ed this week, Bacon called out the president for being too soft on Russia.
“In recent weeks, too many of my fellow Republicans — including Mr. Trump — have treated Russia with velvet gloves, shying away from calling out Mr. Putin’s flatly illegal war and even blaming Ukraine for starting it,” he wrote, adding that Trump and the White House needed to reaffirm their commitment to opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite voting for the GOP temporary spending bill last month, Bacon also blasted it as a “a sign of a dysfunctional government.”
Now Bacon is again speaking out against Trump, this time on his tariffs. He told Newsweek, “I strongly oppose the use of tariff authority to impose nonreciprocal tariffs,” adding he was “pleased” that Trump has not imposed further tariffs on his state’s biggest trading partners, Canada and Mexico.
The details of Bacon’s bill are not yet clear, but is set to be companion legislation to the Senate bill, which aims to limit the president’s power to impose tariffs.
Francis Chung/AP
Titled “Trade Review Act of 2025,” the Senate legislation states that within 48 hours after imposing or increasing a duty, the president must submit to Congress an “explanation of the reasoning for imposing or increasing the duty and an assessment of the potential impact of imposing or increasing the duty on United States businesses and consumers.” It would also let Congress vote to end the levies at any time.
Since it was introduced by Grassley and Cantwell on Thursday, four other Republicans have signed as cosponsors, including Senators Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski and Jerry Moran.
The House recently voted to bar lawmakers from trying to force a vote to end the emergency declaration Trump used to implement the tariffs.
What People Are Saying
Bacon told Newsweek on the tariffs, “Nebraskans want free trade agreements, not trade animosity.”
Grassley, in a statement on Thursday: “For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch. Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I’m joining Senator Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress’s constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy.”
Senator Susan Collins, on the Senate floor Wednesday: “The price hikes that will happen for Maine families—every time they go to the grocery store, they fill their gas tank, they fill their heating oil tank—if these tariffs go into effect will be so harmful. And as price hikes always do, they will hurt those the most who can afford them the least.”
What Happens Next
Bacon has not confirmed when he plans to introduce the bill to the House.