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
Durbin’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.
Source for this position
How we reached this answer
- 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 delegation of trade authority is very real.”
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 timeline17 timeline entries10 statement sources17 verified passages7 congressional actionsOpenClose
Records with confirmed dates appear newest first. Records without a confirmed date follow.
- Legislative record· Official statement
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.”
- Legislative record· Official statement
Congressional hearing record
Congressional activity recorded in an official government source.
“This law gives the President authority to impose sanctions or freeze assets in response to certain emergencies... Immediately, American small businesses challenged these tariffs taxes as exceeding the scope of the President's legal powers. Lower courts disagreed with the President and agreed with the plaintiffs, finding that only Congress has the power to impose tariffs.”
- Original cosponsor
Joined as an original cosponsor.
S. 3905 · Tariff Refund Act of 2026
- What they’ve said· News quotation
Public statement
“IT IS A MESS. THE PRESIDENTā€™S OWN CREATION.”
- What they’ve said· News quotation
Durbin says trump left mess after supreme court blocks tariff policy
“Will there be an effort to refund these tariff trade taxes imposed on other countries?”
- 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 statement
Official statement about floor remarks
“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 statement
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.”
“It's time for Congress to stand up for struggling American families, put an end to Trump's tariff tax roller coaster, and follow common sense and the law.”
- Voted to pass the bill
Voted to pass the full bill.
What the bill would do: ending the February 1, 2025 emergency used to impose extra duties on Canadian imports.
Voted to pass the bill · S.J.Res. 37 · 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.
- What they’ve saidDate unavailable· Official statement
Durbin discusses impact of trumps tariffs on chicago small businesses owners
“The Trump Tariffs are already driving up costs for manufacturers, disrupting our supply chains, and inspiring retaliatory tariffs, which will hurt small businesses like Lori’s Shoes, Art Effect, and Lost Soul Found, as well as their customers”
Context only — this record does not establish the official’s broader position or motive.
- What they’ve saidDate unavailable· Official statement
Durbin if the trump tariff tax continues unabated its going to destroy this economy
“We have a constitutional opportunity and responsibility when it comes to tariffs and our dealing with foreign countries. We, as four Republicans, will join with the Democrats in engaging in a bipartisan discussion of how to go forward from here.”
“We have a constitutional opportunity and responsibility when it comes to tariffs and our dealing with foreign countries.”
- What they’ve saidDate unavailable· Official statement
Durbin reacts to supreme court striking down trumps tariff tax
“Tariffs can be useful when used strategically, but President Trump exceeded these authorities, as clearly defined by Congress, and the Supreme Court, by a vote of 6-3, told him as much. He defied basic economic sense,”
“Tariffs can be useful when used strategically, but President Trump exceeded these authorities, as clearly defined by Congress, and the Supreme Court, by a vote of 6-3, told him as much.”
- What they’ve saidDate unavailable· Official statement
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,” said Durbin. “What we have is chaos. Everyone knows this sloppy approach by this Administration is a bad deal for the American people, and yet another example of executive overreach by this President, which is why the courts have ruled these tariffs illegal”
“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 saidDate unavailable· Interview
Durbin says trump left mess after supreme court blocks tariff policy
“The American consumers have been paying these tariff trade taxes for months," Durbin said. "I worry about the following: let's assume I'm buying a product from overseas. The president imposed a 20% tariff. I pay the 20%. Now, who gets the refund? Me, the American consumer? The business? Or is it only going to go to the country where the tariff was imposed?”
“The American consumers have been paying these tariff trade taxes for months”
“I worry about the following: let's assume I'm buying a product from overseas. The president imposed a 20% tariff. I pay the 20%. Now, who gets the refund? Me, the American consumer? The business? Or is it only going to go to the country where the tariff was imposed?”
- What they’ve saidDate unavailable· Official statement
Durbin speaks out against trumps anticipated tariffs that will harm americans
“The President’s use of IEEPA to attempt to justify these tariffs is a shoddy excuse for him to ram through an unpopular agenda and bully yet another close ally of the United States. He is manufacturing a fake ‘emergency’ as a guise to enact billions of dollars in taxes on American consumers to fund massive tax cuts for his billionaire buddies. That is unacceptable”
“That is why I am supporting Senator Kaine’s resolution to block the President’s abuse of emergency powers.”
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Updated Aug 21, 2026