‘We urge you to hold a hearing so the American people can understand the President’s plan and how it will affect their economic futures.’
WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined his fellow Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA) Committee Democrats in calling on Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) to convene a hearing on President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs.
The Senate BHUA Committee has critical responsibilities for overseeing the use of IEEPA, which gives the President broad authority to impose economic measures in response to extraordinary threats and declared national emergencies. That authority is not a blank check for the President to enact sweeping new trade policies that harm hard-working American families.
“The committee has jurisdiction over key aspects of IEEPA and tariffs as a tool, and we have a responsibility to the American people to exercise our oversight function to scrutinize how the President is using them,” wrote Senate Banking Democrats.
In the letter, the Senators raise concerns that Trump’s tariff policies’ lack of a coherent strategy could damage the economy, repeat the corporate favoritism seen in his first term, and hurt American consumers by driving up prices.
“We urge you to hold a hearing so the American people can understand the President’s plan and how it will affect their economic futures,” the Senators concluded.
Full text of the letter can be read HERE.
The letter comes after Senator Gallego introduced legislation last week to establish an Inspector General (IG) at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The USTR is responsible for developing and negotiating the U.S.’s trade policy, including tariffs, and is one of the few cabinet-level agencies without an IG.