While Trump Delays, Wyden Calls for Passage of Speedy Tariff Refunds Act

While Trump Delays, Wyden Calls for Passage of Speedy Tariff Refunds Act

Watch a video of Wyden deliver his remarks here

As Prepared for Delivery

I rise today to request unanimous consent to pass the "Speedy Tariff Refund Act." This bill forces the Trump administration to immediately return the money it has stolen from American businesses under Trump's illegal tariffs.

Nothing illustrates the hostility that Donald Trump has shown towards helping Americans seek refunds better than his comments to CNBC this morning. Donald Trump said this morning that it would be "brilliant" if companies do not seek refunds and that he will remember those that don't. Sounds like a threat to me. The President of the United States said he'll remember those who don't seek a refund or come forward.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's so-called "emergency" IEEPA tariffs. The Court's ruling was clear: these tariffs were illegal. And the Administration must refund the money to the American importers that paid the tariffs.

It's now been two months since the Supreme Court's decision, and not a single penny has been paid back. The Trump administration is deliberately delaying these refunds even after Trump's own lawyers claimed they would be issued.

While Trump funnels money to his vanity projects and illegal war, his Administration is doing everything it can to avoid returning the money it stole from American companies. That's why I quoted the President's threat this morning.

I've heard from countless small business owners who paid the tariffs but still have no idea when - or if - they will ever get their money back. This leaves businesses and workers on a financial rollercoaster, questioning if they're going to be able to keep their doors open.

Yesterday, CBP began accepting refund requests through a new online system, which is already riddled with glitches and errors.

But instead of paying refunds automatically, CBP is requiring businesses to file even more paperwork to obtain a refund. This is just more bureaucratic red tape to make it harder for Americans to get their money back. CBP is even excluding whole categories of imports from the refund system for now, despite the Court of International Trade's order to pay refunds of all IEEPA tariffs.

It's clear as Crater Lake that Oregonians can't rely on this administration to return their money. So Congress needs to step up. My bill requires the administration to pay tariff refunds, with interest, within 30 days. It applies to every importer who paid IEEPA tariffs - not just certain imports. And it makes it clear that CBP must pay the refunds automatically, without requiring additional paperwork.

I'm sure my Republican colleagues are also hearing from small businesses in their states who are desperate to get their tariff refunds. I urge them to join me, Senator Markey, and Senator Shaheen today. The Senate can act, today, to put money back in the pockets of small businesses and ensure Trump doesn't scam Americans out of the tariff refunds they are owed.

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