To require the Congressional Budget Office to conduct an economic review of the economic impact of tariff modifications before implementation.
- Sponsor
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
- Committees
- Ways and Means Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 10, 2025
Bottom line
H.R. 4326 requires a CBO economic review of all tariff modifications before they can be implemented, aiming to increase transparency and informed decision-making in trade policy.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that any modification to tariffs or other duties on imported articles cannot take effect until the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) publishes a public economic review of the expected impact of such modification. This aims to ensure that economic analysis precedes the implementation of changes to trade policy.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill enhances transparency and accountability in trade policy by ensuring that the economic consequences of tariff changes are fully understood and publicly disclosed before they are enacted. They contend it would lead to more informed policy decisions, protect industries and consumers from unforeseen negative impacts, and provide Congress with crucial data.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that this requirement could introduce significant delays into the tariff modification process, hindering the executive branch's ability to respond swiftly to evolving economic conditions or international trade disputes. They might also raise concerns about the CBO's capacity to conduct timely reviews for every proposed modification, potentially creating a bottleneck.
The bill is exceptionally short and straightforward, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its core purpose quickly.
Section 1
Mandatory CBO Economic Review for Tariff Modifications
This section establishes a new requirement: any change to existing tariffs or import duties cannot be implemented until the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) completes and publicly releases an economic review detailing the expected impact of that specific modification. This applies to any rate change relative to the day before the bill's enactment.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that requiring a CBO review ensures that tariff modifications are not made in a vacuum, providing a clear, non-partisan assessment of their economic consequences. This transparency helps policymakers make better decisions and allows affected industries and consumers to prepare.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that this requirement could unduly slow down the executive branch's ability to use tariffs as a tool in trade negotiations or to respond quickly to unfair trade practices, potentially undermining national economic interests or diplomatic leverage.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire for increased transparency and informed decision-making in trade policy against the potential for procedural delays and reduced agility in responding to dynamic global economic conditions.