Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a formal, time‑bound congressional approval process for major trade and national‑security import actions. This bill would shift many executive trade powers into a propose then approve framework and set strict review and expiration windows.
Show full summary
- Congress and a new Joint Committee on Tariffs and Trade would gain a central review role. The Joint Committee would have 10 members and must review presidential proposals and issue recommendations within 30 days.
- The President and trade agencies would face new limits and requirements. The bill repeals specific executive authorities like the balance‑of‑payments and certain Tariff Act powers and requires proposed actions under Section 301 and other authorities to be submitted for congressional approval.
- Trade remedies and national‑security import adjustments would run on tighter clocks and consultation rules. Approved actions take effect 30 days after enactment and end within 180 days unless Congress passes another approval; provisional relief can be tied to pending joint resolutions and modifications must involve petitioners and affected industries.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Congress gains final say on trade
If enacted, the bill would require the President to send major trade proposals to a new Joint Committee on Tariffs and Trade. The committee would have 10 members: five chosen by Senate Finance and five by House Ways and Means. The committee must review and recommend within 30 days, and Congress would have 30 days to pass a joint resolution to approve. Approved actions would start 30 days after enactment and end no later than 180 days unless Congress reauthorizes them in new 180-day steps. The bill would add faster floor rules for those approvals and say any trade agreement that binds the United States must be approved by an Act of Congress.
Repeal of two executive tariff tools
If enacted, the bill would repeal the law that let the U.S. impose duties for foreign discrimination and the balance‑of‑payments import authority. Both repeals would be effective upon enactment. Removing these tools could reduce unilateral tariff actions that raise consumer prices, but it would also limit government options to respond to discrimination or balance‑of‑payments crises.
USTR reorganized and overseen
If enacted, the bill would make the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative a stand‑alone agency under the President and require it not be inside another department. It would remove certain appointment wording about officials' tenure. The bill would also add USTR to the federal Inspector General system and require an Inspector General to be appointed within 120 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov