1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned constituent from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to urge you to support the Congressional Trade Authority Act, reintroduced by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, also reintroduced by Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) with Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), and a group Democratic colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee. These critical pieces of legislation aim to restore Congress's constitutional authority over trade policies and prevent the executive branch from unilaterally imposing tariffs that could harm our local economy. Recent actions by the administration, including the announcement of sweeping tariffs on numerous countries under the so-called "Liberation Day," have raised significant concerns. These tariffs, imposed without adequate congressional oversight, threaten to increase costs for American consumers and disrupt businesses that rely on international trade. For instance, the aluminum and steel industries, vital to Michigan's manufacturing sector, are facing unprecedented price hikes due to these tariffs. The Congressional Trade Authority Act would require any proposed tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to be submitted to Congress for approval, ensuring that such decisions undergo proper legislative scrutiny. Similarly, the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act seeks to prevent the misuse of national emergency declarations as a pretext for imposing tariffs without congressional consent. Restoring congressional authority over trade matters is not just a constitutional imperative but also an economic necessity. Unchecked tariff implementations can lead to retaliatory measures from trading partners, adversely affecting Michigan's exports and potentially leading to job losses in our community. I urge you to support these legislative measures to ensure that trade policies are enacted transparently and with the comprehensive input of our elected representatives. Protecting Michigan's economy and upholding the constitutional balance of powers should be paramount considerations in these deliberations. Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing you champion these critical issues on behalf of our state.