The Constitution’s Article 1, Section 7 gives the job of raising revenue to Congress. Revenue bills are supposed to be originated in the House of Representatives with the Senate’s agreement and the President’s signing. The Country did not have an income tax so revenue was raised through tariffs. Therefore, putting tariffs on imports (can’t tax exports) is the responsibility of Congress, not the President.

When I asked my Senator’s staff where the President derived the authority to levy tariffs without her approval they couldn’t answer. Republicans always complain about Presidential overreach when a Democrat is in the Oval Office. This combative President appears to overreach his authority every day. Shouldn’t Congress know why the President has usurped power?

Article 1, Section 8 says “Congress shall regulate commerce with foreign nations…” and that means tariffs, treaties and agreements like NAFTA. Trump is trying to get around Congress by saying Canadian milk, cheese, and yogurt involves our National Security. Actually we export several times more of those products to Canada than we import from Canada. (One wealthy dairyman is the cause of this tariff war.)

Nicor Steel says its profits will rise greatly because the steel tariffs are allowing them to raise their prices. Since we import about three-fourths of our steel almost everything will go up because the consumer pays the tariff on their purchases. Since the steel industry is raising their prices too, we will just pay more. That’s inflation which causes the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates on loans to buy the washer/dryer and car. These are two more items with new tariffs. Rich stockholders win, consumers lose!

Call out your Senator and Congressman when you see them. It’s their abrogation of responsibility that’s responsible for the increases costs the consumer will be paying!