Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-02-25

CREATE TARIFF POLICY THAT SUPPORTS U.S. ECONOMY

EnvironmentTrade

Context

On 2026-02-25, Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "CREATE TARIFF POLICY THAT SUPPORTS U.S. ECONOMY" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered trade policy.

Full Text

CREATE TARIFF POLICY THAT SUPPORTS U.S. ECONOMY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)] [House] [Page H2300] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 0910 CREATE TARIFF POLICY THAT SUPPORTS U.S. ECONOMY (Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) 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. ____________________

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CREATE TARIFF POLICY THAT SUPPORTS U.S. ECONOMY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)] [House] [Page H2300] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 0910 CREATE TARIFF POLICY THAT SUPPORTS U.S. ECONOMY (Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) 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. ____________________