OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Create Tariff Policy That Supports U.S. Economy

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 25, 2026
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress, and Congress alone, the ``power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.''

As Chief Justice John Roberts correctly noted last week, the Framers were explicit: The executive has no given power to reach into the pockets of the people to impose taxes and tariffs.

The Supreme Court has now confirmed two truths that we have known: Tariffs are a tax on consumers, on you and me; and number two, the President's disastrous, on-again-off-again tariffs are not just illegal, they are also unconstitutional. I am thankful to the Court for so clearly recognizing and rooting their opinion in our Constitution.

Now we must turn our focus to those who unjustly suffered because of this President's economic chaos. The Treasury Department must immediately issue refunds for the $134 billion stolen from American families and businesses.

I call upon all of my colleagues in Congress, Republicans and Democrats, let's work together to create tariff policy that supports U.S. economic objectives, laws that give businesses the security and time needed for investments, and that bring costs down for consumers.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward