Bills · S 348
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 348Presidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsCongressional-executive branch relations
STABLE Trade Policy Act
INTRO JAN 30· LAST ACTION JAN 30
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill is important because it directly addresses the balance of power between the President and Congress when it comes to trade policy, specifically the use of tariffs. For years, presidents have used certain laws to impose tariffs, sometimes citing national security, without requiring a vote from Congress. These tariffs can significantly impact the cost of goods for consumers, the competitiveness of American businesses, and our relationships with international partners.
If this bill passes, it would mean that tariffs on goods from key U.S. allies and free trade partners would require a more public and debated process in Congress. This could lead to more stable international trade relations and potentially fewer abrupt price changes for imported goods, but it might also make it harder for a President to quickly respond to perceived trade threats. If the bill doesn't pass, the President would retain the existing authority to impose these tariffs on allies without direct Congressional approval, maintaining the current executive flexibility in trade matters.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the President to obtain a "joint resolution of approval" from Congress before imposing new or additional tariffs on goods imported from U.S. allies or free trade agreement partners.
This provision significantly shifts power from the executive to the legislative branch regarding critical trade decisions, ensuring more checks and balances.
PROVISION 02
Defines "covered countries" to include members of NATO, major non-NATO allies, and countries with an existing free trade agreement with the United States.
This clearly identifies the specific nations that would be protected from unilateral tariff actions by the President under this bill.
PROVISION 03
Specifies that the new approval process applies to tariffs imposed under certain existing laws, such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (often used for national security tariffs).
This clarifies which presidential tariff authorities would be subject to Congressional oversight for covered countries.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that the President's request for tariff authorization must include objectives, an explanation of why other methods won't work, and assessments of impacts on national security, foreign policy, and the U.S. economy.
This ensures a comprehensive justification and analysis are presented to Congress and the public before tariffs can be considered.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Delaware
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
64
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 30
Introduced in Senate
JAN 30
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 348
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 30, 2025
Last actionJan 30, 2025
READER REACTIONS
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2025
Senate BillS 348Presidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsCongressional-executive branch relations
STABLE Trade Policy Act
INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 30, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
