Warnock Secures Key Victory: Puts Guardrails on President Trump’s Tariff Powers

Senator Reverend Warnock secured a key concession from the Trump Administration limiting the President's tariff authority after a week-long pressure campaign

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, secured a written commitment from the Trump Administration that would limit the President's tariff authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation will help curb Russia's ability to continue earning billions of dollars from energy exports through third countries.

After weeks of working behind the scenes to limit the President's tariff authorities in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, Senator Warnock supported the start of debate on the legislation and introduced a series of amendments to improve the bill. To ensure at least one of his amendments received a vote, the Senator successfully used procedural tools to pressure Senate leadership to call a vote on a bipartisan amendment with Senator Cassidy.

After a conversation with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer earlier today, the Senator secured a written commitment restricting the President's tariff authority under this legislation. The letter concedes the same limits that would have been established in the Warnock/Cassidy amendment.

"Today is a small but meaningful victory for all Americans who've suffered under this President's reckless tariffs. I continue to reject the idea that we have to choose between putting a check on Putin's aggression and putting a check on this President's tariff regime. I hope this is the first step towards Congress reasserting its role in placing guardrails on this President's tariffs that raise the price of everything."

The non-partisan Tax Foundation found President Trump's tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year. Most American families are on track to lose $1,300 from President Trump's tariffs in 2026. This week, Senator Warnock unveiled a new report that found the cost of required school supplies for a 4th grader can cost Georgia families more than $130 per child. Senator Warnock continues to push back against the Trump administration's reckless tariff policy and the uncertain market conditions it creates for Georgia small businesses and the higher prices it imposes on Georgia families.

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