Magaziner Joins Amicus Brief to Supreme Court Opposing Trump Tariffs

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02), along with other Democratic colleagues, filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court challenging President Donald Trump’s sweeping and chaotic tariffs. 

The brief reaffirms Congress’s constitutional authority over trade policy and challenges President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs that are driving up costs for Rhode Islanders. 

“Rhode Islanders are being hurt by President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which are driving up the cost of food, energy, and other everyday essentials,” said Magaziner. “I am filing an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to bring down prices that are straining Americans’ pocketbooks and affirm Congress’ role as a co-equal branch of government.”

Magaziner previously joined amicus briefs standing up for Congress ‘constitutional tariff authority in Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al., which was ruled against Trump in the U.S. Court of International Trade and affirmed in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Now, the case is before the Supreme Court.

The lawmakers’ brief stands up for Congress’s Article I power to impose tariffs and regulate commerce, and argues that IEEPA does not give the President the power to impose his tariffs that have raised costs for Rhode Island’s working people and businesses. IEEPA, enacted in 1977, grants the president the authority to impose sanctions, block foreign assets, and regulate economic transactions in response to a declared national emergency. However, the lawmakers argue, IEEPA is not a tariff statute and it does not give the President free rein to unilaterally execute his trade policy. The case was originally brought forward by 12 States’ Attorneys General. 

The full Supreme Court brief arguing against Trump’s tariffs in Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. is available here.