Sens. Kaine (D) & Paul (R): "Why we're forcing Senate votes on Trump's tariffs" WaPo gift link

[spooky3]

https://wapo.st/3Jxbb30

"Here are some statements that should transcend party label: Tariffs are taxes on imports paid by American consumers. Congress, not the president, has the constitutional authority to levy taxes. Massive tariffs on close trading partners such as Brazil and Canada are ill-advised abuses of presidential power that will make Americans poorer.

All of that is self-evident, but President Donald Trump nonetheless keeps doubling down on his price-hiking tariffs, even though they are already pummeling the U.S. economy. Further, Trump is misusing an unrelated emergency statute to do it. His reckless, unconstitutional actions risk sending our country full steam ahead into economic chaos.

That’s why the two of us are taking to the Senate floor this week to force votes on the president’s 35 percent and 50 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Brazil, respectively. These votes present our colleagues with an important choice: Do they side with American consumers or back an overreaching tax policy?"

snip