Cosponsor
Joined the bill as a cosponsor.
S. 4049 · Reclaim Trade Powers Act
Accountability record
Where Richard J. Durbin stands on Congressional control of tariffs and trade powers
Statements, legislative actions, and public records—shown with the sources behind them.
Richard J. Durbin
IL · U.S. Senate
Where they stand
On the recordDurbin’s cited statements support targeted responses to unfair foreign competition, opposition to broad tariff policies, and a stronger role for Congress and the courts in reviewing tariff authority.
Position details
Do not let emergency economic powers become tariff powers
SupportsOn March 25, 2026, Durbin supported the view, described in his remarks as a Supreme Court holding, that IEEPA did not authorize the president to impose the tariffs at issue, and distinguished IEEPA sanctions authority from Congress’s tariff power.
This evidence addresses IEEPA tariffs and does not establish a position on every emergency economic power.
Source for this position
Let courts and Congress review tariff emergency claims
SupportsIn a May 29, 2025 statement, Durbin supported congressional examination of a claimed emergency used to impose tariffs; in March 2026 remarks, he supported judicial review of the tariff authority at issue.
The cited statements do not specify new statutory standards, procedures, or whether every form of emergency tariff authority should be eliminated.
Stop broad tariffs that raise prices and disrupt businesses
SupportsIn 2025 statements, Durbin opposed broad tariff policies that he characterized as harmful to families and the economy.
The cited statements do not establish which alternative trade-enforcement tools he would support in every circumstance.
Show 3 more positions
Restore Congress’s constitutional power over tariffs
SupportsIn statements from 2025 and 2026, Durbin supported Congress’s constitutional authority over tariff imposition and called for congressional intervention in tariff policy.
The cited statements do not establish whether all presidential tariff authority should be eliminated or specify new congressional procedures.
Require Congress to approve new presidential tariffs
SupportsOn March 25, 2026, Durbin’s remarks stated that only Congress has the power to impose tariffs, supporting congressional approval for new presidential tariffs.
The evidence does not establish support for specific notice, duration, exemption, or emergency-review procedures.
Source for this position
Use targeted tariffs for unfair trade, not blanket tariffs
SupportsOn September 4, 2025, Durbin said targeted tariffs addressing unfair foreign competition can be warranted, while distinguishing them from broad tariff policies.
This statement does not establish specific limits on duration, size, exemptions, or congressional approval.
How we reached this answer
This answer uses the specific statements and actions below. We consider what each bill or vote actually did; a bill number by itself is not treated as a position.
- Congressional activity recorded in an official government source.Congressional hearing record · Mar 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
What they said
“Now some targeted tariffs in areas where there is unfair foreign competition can be warranted, but that is not what is happening”
Read the full statement (opens in a new tab)“The Court of International Trade's injunction stopping Donald Trump's imposition of record breaking tariffs gives Congress the chance to declare Trump's 'emergency' phony, while his violation of the Constitutional del…”
Read the full statement (opens in a new tab)
We checked 21 of 21 bills Modern Action tracks on this subject.
Full record
Explore the evidence
Open the timeline for dated statements, speeches, votes, sponsorships, petition signatures, and source links.
Evidence timeline7 saved events2 statements5 congressional actionsOpenClose
Newest records with confirmed dates appear first.
- Legislative record· Official congressional website
Congressional hearing record
Congressional activity recorded in an official government source.
“Just a few weeks ago, [in] a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's position and held that IEEPA does not authorize President Trump to impose these illegal and costly tariffs.”
- Original cosponsor
Joined as an original cosponsor.
S. 3905 · Tariff Refund Act of 2026
- Voted to pass the bill
Voted to pass the full bill.
S.J.Res. 77 · A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada.
This was the final vote on the full bill. It shows how the official voted, not why or how they viewed each part of it.
- Voted to pass the bill
Voted to pass the full bill.
S.J.Res. 81 · A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Brazil.
This was the final vote on the full bill. It shows how the official voted, not why or how they viewed each part of it.
- What they’ve said· Official congressional website
Durbin slams president trumps failing tariffs harm to the us economy
“Now some targeted tariffs in areas where there is unfair foreign competition can be warranted, but that is not what is happening”
- What they’ve said· Official congressional website
Durbin statement on court of international trade striking down president trumps tariff tax
“The Court of International Trade's injunction stopping Donald Trump's imposition of record breaking tariffs gives Congress the chance to declare Trump's 'emergency' phony, while his violation of the Constitutional delegation of trade authority is very real.”
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Legislative record
Complete for this scope · 4 records
Bills currently linked to this issue
Official statements
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Congressional Record
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Signed letters found
Public statements, verified social and news · search completed · 3 verified
Votes, bills and petitions · search completed · 6 verified
Other public records · no public record found
Found 9 public records in the sources checked.
Updated Aug 21, 2026