House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington responded to the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the Trump Administration’s tariff authority. The ruling addressed the President's ability to use tariffs in pursuit of fair trade and national security objectives.
Arrington stated, "I commend President Trump for his urgency and vigilance in establishing a level playing field for our farmers, manufacturers, and workers while also protecting our national security interests by strengthening our industrial base."
He clarified that the case was not about the merits of former President Trump’s trade policies or his authority to impose tariffs but focused on identifying the correct legal basis for such actions. "This Supreme Court case has never been about the merits of President Trump’s reciprocal trade policy or whether or not the President has the authority to use tariffs to promote fair trade and protect our national security interests. It’s always been about determining the right authority to achieve these outcomes," Arrington said.
According to Arrington, existing laws such as the Trade Act of 1974 and Trade Expansion Act of 1962 provide presidents with longstanding authority over tariff enforcement. He added, "To be clear, the President has the authority to enforce fair trade and use tariffs to protect America’s security interests under the Trade Act of 1974 and Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which have stood the test of time since his first term. The Administration has already begun the process of swiftly utilizing these authorities again to replace IEEPA and facilitate its successful trade agenda."
Arrington credited recent trade agreements negotiated by former President Trump and Ambassador Greer with reducing deficits, increasing exports, and raising customs revenue. He said these efforts have strengthened both economic stability and fiscal health: "President Trump’s and Ambassador Greer’s hard-fought trade agreements have reduced our trade deficit, facilitated record exports, and quadrupled customs revenue. The agreements have strengthened both our nation’s economy and our future fiscal health."
He called on Congress to codify reciprocal trade agreements for long-term effectiveness: "Congress should immediately codify the President’s reciprocal trade agreements, which would make these deals more durable, enforceable, and effective in the long run. If this can’t be done in a bipartisan fashion, Republicans should use reconciliation—the most potent legislative tool in our toolbox—to safeguard our economic and national security interests."
The House Budget Committee is part of the U.S. House of Representatives official website with members from other key committees like Ways and Means as well as Appropriations. The committee oversees federal spending decisions official website, develops budget resolutions official website, manages budget processes including reconciliation official website, collaborates with agencies such as the Congressional Budget Office official website, prepares annual guidelines for government spending targets official website, and is currently chaired by Jodey Arrington official website.
