Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., is reportedly pushing ahead with plans to work with fellow Republicans on legislation that would push back on President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on trading partners.
“Sen. Corker is working with a number of colleagues to develop legislation that would address the administration’s recent actions to intervene in markets by abusing the president’s national security authorities,” said spokeswoman Micah Johnson on Monday, The Tennessean reported.
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has previously criticized the tariffs, suggesting Trump is abusing his power, the news outlet reported – and Saturday, in a tweet, he put out the call to other Senators who would join the opposition.
I am working with like-minded Republican senators on ways to push back on the president using authorities in ways never intended and that are damaging to our country and our allies. Will Democrats join us?
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) June 2, 2018
Corker, who is retiring and has become a vocal critic of Trump’s policies, separately told CNN reporter Manu Raju that he had begun talks about legislation.
Bob Corker told me he’s begun discussions with staff on legislation to push back on Trump tariffs, says Trump is “abusing the authorities given to him” and is “interfering inappropriately” in markets. “We seem to want to punish our allies and befriend our enemies,” he told me.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 4, 2018
Trump is using Section 232 of the trade law, which allows tariffs to be placed on imports in the name of national security. But GOP lawmakers argue the penalties on steel and aluminum imports do not meet the qualifications under the provision.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced legislation last year that would require congressional approval for the implementation of tariffs, The Hill reported – legislation that picked up the support of Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., last week.
The Hill noted legislation would likely face an uphill battle, with GOP leaders showing few signs they would try to rein in Trump’s authority on tariffs.
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