Senate Democrats push for $175B Trump tariffs refunds after SC ruling
Senate Democrats push for $175B Trump tariffs refunds after SC ruling
Democrats introduce a bill demanding refunds of tariffs collected under Trump, with priority for small businesses, to be issued within 180 days following the Supreme Court ruling.
A group of 22 Senate Democrats introduced legislation demanding that refunds be issued for tariffs collected under the IEEPA after the Supreme Court ruled them unlawful. The refunds, with interest, would be issued within 180 days and would prioritise small businesses.
The Supreme Court’s ruling last Friday struck down Trump’s broad tariffs but did not specify how refunds should be handled, sending the case back to a lower trade court to determine next steps.
The proposal would require the Customs and Border Protection to issue refunds on IEEPA-based tariffs, even if the import duties had already been finalised or liquidated.
Co-sponsors include Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Ron Wyden, Edward Markey, and Jeanne Shaheen. Wyden said the legislation would put money back into the hands of small businesses and manufacturers, providing relief from what he described as price-hiking trade and economic policies under Trump.
The bill remains in its early stages and would need to clear a Senate committee before any decision on its consideration. Republicans have not yet indicated support, while the White House has not publicly commented but would adhere to the lower court’s decision on refunds. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the administration would follow whatever the courts decide.
