A group backed by the conservative donor Charles Koch will rollout an ad campaign urging members of Congress to back legislation that would reduce the president’s authority to levy new tariffs.
Americans for Prosperity will target over 30 legislators from both parties with digital ads calling on their support for the Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act that would make congressional approval a requirement for increasing tariffs or imposing new ones. The group will also run ads that thank the more than two dozen legislators who already support the bill.
“Tariffs are destructive taxes on American producers and consumers. They threaten to undermine the economic growth the Trump administration has encouraged through tax reform and removing regulatory burdens,” Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips told The Hill on Tuesday.
“Congress should hold an up-or-down vote before tariffs proposed by a president can take effect … We strongly encourage these senators and representatives to get on board and cosponsor this bipartisan legislation. This is a top trade priority for our organization and we’ll continue to press Congress to make it a reality.”
The organization sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., earlier this year asking to work with her to impose limits on President Donald Trump’s tariff authority.
“Granting presidents authority to negotiate free trade agreements has helped lower barriers to trade and improve the lives of millions of Americans,” read the letter, according to the Hill. “But Congress has ceded to the executive branch too much unilateral authority to impose tariffs … We encourage you to review and support this important legislation.”
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