WASHINGTON (July 22, 2026) — Today, Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), released the following statement regarding Senator Ron Wyden’s (D-Ore.) introduction of the Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026:
“Since February of 2025, the Trump administration has produced a stream of ever-changing tariff decrees, ranging from across-the-board rate increases designed to restore Depression-level tariff rates and 19th-century taxation systems, to unprovoked attacks on Canada, to bizarre claims that condensed milk and balance beams are ‘steel or aluminum derivative products.’ These have damaged the Constitutional separation of powers, raised prices for American families, imposed tens of billions of dollars in new costs each month on goods-producing American businesses from factories and farms to restaurants and construction sites, and damaged national-security relationships with America’s neighbors and core allies abroad. The American public is deeply and understandably unhappy about all of this.
“In these circumstances, we at PPI are excited and enthusiastic about Finance Committee Ranking Member Wyden’s introduction of the Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026. Though good policy at any time, it is especially timely in this summer of 2026. His bill is the right response, providing a path back to constitutionally appropriate policymaking, and actual trade policies centered on growth, lower inflation, and revived business competitiveness rather than crank theories and presidential whims.
“By repealing Sections 122 and 338 of U.S. trade law as antiquated and unnecessary, and requiring Congressional votes to approve any use of Sections 301, 232, and 201 of U.S. trade law, Sen. Wyden’s bill would restore the fundamental Constitutional principle that Congress has authority over ‘Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises.’ This will ensure that presidents hoping to use tariffs for policy goals cannot impose their own rates by decree as Mr. Trump has tried to do, but must instead win the assent of Congress. This would structurally improve future policy by confining use of these laws to the occasional cases in which Congress has a consensus that tariffs are an appropriate policy tool; and more immediately provide the public relief on consumer-goods affordability and business costs by terminating Trump administration decrees which do not meet that test. It is good policy and good economics and deserves support.”
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Find an expert and learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Follow us at @PPI.
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Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
