Bill Summary
This legislation aims to nullify a specific Presidential Proclamation (No. 11012) issued on February 20, 2026, which imposed a temporary import surcharge to address significant international payment issues. The bill states that this proclamation, along with any similar future actions that impose such surcharges, will have no legal effect, meaning they cannot be enforced. Additionally, it prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the proclamation. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the President take necessary actions to refund any tariffs or duties collected during the period from the proclamation's issuance to the enactment of this bill, ensuring financial restitution to those affected by the surcharge.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation described could affect people:
1. **Economic Relief for Importers**: The nullification of the Presidential Proclamation imposing a temporary import surcharge would lead to immediate financial relief for businesses that rely on imported goods. Importers who had been paying higher tariffs due to the surcharge would receive refunds for the amounts collected during the surcharge period. This could help these businesses reduce costs, allowing them to lower prices for consumers or reinvest in their operations, potentially leading to job retention or creation.
2. **Impact on International Trade Relations**: By nullifying the surcharge, the legislation could improve relations with trading partners who were negatively affected by the higher tariffs. This may lead to smoother trade negotiations and potentially foster a more cooperative international trade environment. Businesses engaged in exporting goods could also benefit from a more stable trading landscape, which might encourage expansion into international markets.
3. **Government Revenue**: The legislation could result in a decrease in federal revenue that would have been generated from the temporary import surcharge. This might lead to budget adjustments or reallocations within government funding, potentially impacting public services or programs that rely on tariff revenue. Citizens could feel the effects of this through changes in public funding or services, such as infrastructure maintenance, education, or health services.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8228 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8228
To nullify the Presidential Proclamation relating to Imposing a
Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International
Payments Problems, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 9, 2026
Mr. Panetta (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Sanchez, Ms. Sewell, Mr.
Schneider, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Horsford, and Ms. DelBene) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To nullify the Presidential Proclamation relating to Imposing a
Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International
Payments Problems, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. NULLIFICATION OF PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION RELATING TO
IMPOSING A TEMPORARY IMPORT SURCHARGE TO ADDRESS
FUNDAMENTAL INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS PROBLEMS.
(a) In General.--Presidential Proclamation 11012 of February 20,
2026, titled ``Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address
Fundamental International Payments Problems'' (91 Fed. Reg. 9339), or
any successor or substantially similar Presidential proclamation or
other action, including a proclamation or other action imposing a
temporary import surcharge at any percentage above or below the
percentage provided for in Presidential Proclamation 11012, shall have
no force or effect and no Federal funds may be obligated or expended to
carry out such Presidential proclamation or other action.
(b) Retroactive Application.--The President shall take such actions
as may be necessary to provide for the refund of tariffs or other
duties imposed and collected between February 20, 2026, and the date of
the enactment of this Act by reason of the implementation of
Presidential Proclamation 11012 or any successor or substantially
similar Presidential proclamation or other action.
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