Congress Backs Oregon’s Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Tariff Powers

The Oregon Attorney General has commended the congressional leaders who filed an amicus brief in the lawsuit filed by a 12-state coalition challenging President Trump’s sweeping tariff decisions earlier this year. The coalition argues that, without congressional authority, Trump lacked the power to impose tariffs.

Congress Leaders Back Oregon’s Challenge Against Trump’s Tariffs

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield confirmed yesterday that congressional leaders filed a powerful amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Oregon’s lawsuit challenging Trump’s authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval.

The lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City is a joint motion by the attorneys general of 12 states seeking a preliminary injunction to stop Trump’s ‘illegal tariffs’ filed in May.

AG Rayfield said, “This case is about the limits of presidential power.”

AG Rayfield commended the over 200 members of Congress led by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for filing the brief, which underscores that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the President authority to impose tariffs unilaterally. This power is reserved for Congress under the Constitution.

The bipartisan Supreme Court brief includes 171 U.S. Representatives and 34 Senators, spanning the ideological spectrum and even attracting bipartisan support — including Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

Senator Ron Wyden, who supports AG Rayfield’s effort to strike down Trump’s illegal tariffs, confirmed that “Congress passed IEEPA to respond to crises, not to create them.”

AG Rayfield said, “The Trump Administration’s attempt to use emergency powers as a back door to raise taxes on American families was never lawful.”

The federal Court fast-tracked the motion earlier this year, and oral arguments are scheduled for November 5.