Key Vote Alert – “NO” on Sponsorship of Reciprocal Trade Act

KEY VOTE ALERT

Sponsorship of Reciprocal Trade Act

The Club for Growth opposes the United States Reciprocal Trade Act, sponsored by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) and will be key voting against the sponsorship of the bill.  While a vote on the proposal has not been scheduled, the Club urges all Representatives to oppose sponsorship of it and vote NO if it is brought to the floor for consideration.  Sponsorship of the bill will be included in the Club’s 2019 congressional scorecard.

According to drafted legislation reviewed by the Club ForGrowth, the Reciprocal Trade Act specifically authorizes the President, without approval from Congress, to unilaterally increase taxes on Americans who buy goods and services from foreign sources. Members of Congress should oppose this policy because it deteriorates enumerated powers within Article I and expands the Administrative State.

Though the legislation calls for a report and consultation with Members of Congressional Leadership, Members of the Senate Finance Committee and the Ways and Means Committee – that provision simply is not enough. As the Constitution states, Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, as well as regulate commerce with foreign nations. Tariffs are taxes on the American People. When an administration is given new authority to increase tariffs it is inevitable that Executive overreach will occur.

Our Congressional Scorecard for the 116th Congress provides a comprehensive rating of how well or how poorly each member of Congress supports pro-growth, free-market policies and will be distributed to our members and to the public.