U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released a statement after the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision that struck down the executive branch’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
“Today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed authority that has rested with Congress for centuries.
“As a matter of policy, the empty merits of sweeping trade wars with America’s friends were evident long before today’s decision. The American people already know that when Washington throws up artificial barriers, building and buying here at home become more expensive. Kentuckians whose livelihoods depend on auto manufacturing, agricultural commodity markets, or demand for bourbon whiskey understand this painful reality better than most.
“But as a matter of Constitutional authority, there is now no room for doubt: the use of IEEPA to circumvent Congress in the imposition of tariffs – already without precedent – is also illegal.
“Congress’ role in trade policy, as I have warned repeatedly, is not an inconvenience to avoid. If the executive would like to enact trade policies that impact American producers and consumers, its path forward is crystal clear: convince their representatives under Article 1.”
McConnell has been recognized for his contributions to U.S. Senate history and global leadership and was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World three times according to his official website. He has held key positions in Senate leadership as a member of the Republican Party and led the Republican conference from 2006 to 2024 while serving as Majority Leader from 2015 to 2021 (source). McConnell is Kentucky’s longest-serving senator and holds the record as the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history (source). He has championed an internationalist foreign policy focused on national defense, robust trade, and strategic alliances (source).
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