Rand Paul urges removal of sweeping tariff powers from Ukraine aid bill

Senator Rand Paul warns that a proposed Ukraine-related bill would let the executive impose up to 100% tariffs on many countries, raising costs for American families.

In a floor commentary, Senator Rand Paul contended that the Ukraine assistance package grants the executive branch the power to levy tariffs as high as 100% on an ever-changing list of foreign producers, a move he says will hurt American households. He offered an amendment to eliminate that tariff authority but left untouched the bill’s sanctions against Russia. Paul referenced a joint letter from dozens of industry groups—including the Chamber of Commerce and the National Retail Association—warning that the tariffs would raise costs for consumers, create supply-chain uncertainty and provoke foreign retaliation.

He also warned that targeting China and India could push those economies closer to Russia, undermining U.S. strategic interests. The senator invoked the constitutional non-delegation principle, asserting that tax-raising powers belong solely with Congress. He concluded by urging colleagues to reject the tariff provisions as a counterproductive economic strategy.