According to news reports, US Senator Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) plans to introduce a bill Wednesday that would require congressional approval for the president to apply tariffs on national security grounds, which was used to justify recent tariffs against steel and aluminum imports.
The bill will reportedly be attached as an amendment to a “must-pass” defense policy bill. However, reports indicate that Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives are wary of passing a bill that Donald Trump would likely veto, especially so close to the mid-term elections this fall.
The bill would require the administration to submit to Congress any tariffs resulting from a Section 232 investigation, giving lawmakers 60 days to approve the proposed actions. The bill would apply to all actions going forward, as well as actions taken at any point within the last two years.
Senate leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has opposed the tariffs, but is reportedly skeptical of pursuing legislation. However, after Corker presented his bill to Republican Senators Tuesday, McConnel did not “close the door” on the possibility of an amendment vote in the defense policy bill.
“It is open for amendment and we’ll see what happens as it moves across the floor,” McConnell told reporters Wednesday.