Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran wants Congress to weigh in on Trump tariffs

Jonathan Shorman, The Kansas City Star on Apr 7, 2025

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U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, supports legislation that would restrict President Donald Trump’s power over tariffs amid plunging stocks and rising fears of a recession.

Moran signed on as a co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill introduced last week that would require Trump to notify Congress when he imposes a new tariff. Congress would have to approve the tariff within 60 days or they would expire.

Trump last Wednesday imposed tariffs on dozens of countries. The tariffs include a baseline 10% rate and higher rates for many nations.

Moran didn’t criticize Trump’s tariff decisions in a statement, instead advocating for more congressional involvement over trade policy.

“Every state has unique industries that are impacted differently by changes in global markets and trade policies, such as agriculture, car manufacturing and aircraft production,” Moran said.

“The Constitution gives Congress the authority to make decisions regarding foreign commerce, including tariffs. This legislation allows the President to use tariffs to respond to emergencies while permitting Congress to weigh the appropriateness of any tariffs that are imposed.”

Moran hasn’t drawn attention to his sponsorship of the legislation. He told The Hill last week that he’s heard from Kansas farmers and other constituents worried about the effects of tariffs.

“The idea of a tariff to equal the stage has some merit and some support,” Moran said. “But I think most Kansans would say, ‘Let’s do this in a more gradual way.’”

Sen. Roger Marshall, Kansas’ other Republican in the Senate, is not listed as a co-sponsor.

Marshall, who is up for reelection next year, has been more publicly supportive of Trump’s tariff moves. On Monday, he posted on social media that Trump “is working to rebalance trade and stop other countries from taking advantage of us.”

“I believe in President Trump’s plan, I support his plan,” Marshall told NewsNation on Sunday.

Marshall missed a vote in the Senate last week to rebuke Trump’s tariffs against Canada, specifically. Moran voted against the resolution.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, introduced the bill on Friday. The measure would mandate that the president inform Congress within 48 hours of any new tariffs, along with an explanation of the need for the tariff and how it could affect American consumers and businesses.

Congress would have the power to pass a resolution at any time to end tariffs, in addition to the requirement that any new tariffs must receive congressional approval.

Trump will veto the Cantwell-Grassley legislation if it passes, according to a White House statement reported by Axios. The support of Moran and other Republican senators on the legislation would prove critical to any push to override a presidential veto.

Moran and six other Republicans are currently sponsoring the bill. Even with the support of Democratic senators, that still wouldn’t be enough votes to override a veto. Still, it signals growing GOP concern with Trump’s trade policy.

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