Wisconsin Lawmaker Wants Congress To Regain Power In Trade

Wisconsin Democrat Ron Kind says Congress should have a bigger voice when it comes to trade.  Representative Kind said the trade war initiated by President Trump will mean lost markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers.  That’s part of the reason Kind says he is pushing legislation to allow Congress to have more of a voice on trade issues.

“I’m moving forward with some bipartisan legislation, to give Conress a greater roll and greater voice with what’s going on in trade policy, so it’s not just one individual doing this to the entire country.  I think it’s important that Congress has a way legislatively to weigh in and say no, we don’t agree with you with what’s being done.”

Kind said the power of trade policy actually belongs to Congress.

“It’s really clearly enumerated in Article 1 which is the Congressional powers under the Constitution that we have jurisdiction over trade, but in the past 100 years or so, we’ve delegated a considerable amount of authority to the Executive Branch, you do need a kind of unified voice, the administration, or whoever, provides that is, but that does not excuse Congress from vacating the field.”

Kind said Congress and the administration in the White House must work together on trade.  He added he is fearful of the retaliations from other countries on the U.S. and what harm they may inflict on U.S. agriculture.

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