President Trump's Tariff Policies

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, any day now, the Supreme Court will issue a ruling on whether the President can impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

President Trump's tariff policies have hurt America's small businesses, who often cannot absorb the cost of higher duties. Now, the economy is showing warning signs. Unemployment has risen to 4.6 percent, and small businesses shed 120,000 jobs in November alone.

That is why I recently joined 20 of my colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Noem urging both Departments to dedicate resources to planning for the Supreme Court's decision. Proper planning is needed around an information campaign for small businesses on how to navigate the tariff protest process, ensuring that eligible tariff refunds are provided on an expedited basis. Without a plan, the complexity and time needed to pursue a refund will further burden small businesses.

I urge the Trump administration to work quickly to guarantee that small businesses, the lifeline of our economy, are not left behind because of this erratic policy.

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