WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement ahead of oral arguments in Learning Resources v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, Inc., cases challenging the legality of President Trump’s use of a 1977 law to impose global tariffs:  

“President Trump has no authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose new taxes—these tariffs hurt America’s small businesses, farmers, and working families. Markets are being destroyed, inflation and consumer prices are rising, and chaos is constantly swirling.  

“Just last week, the Senate voted to pass three bipartisan bills to rebuff President Trump’s reckless trade war and reassert our constitutional authority. Now, this White House is attempting to bypass Congress by turning to the Supreme Court, hoping the conservative Justices will reverse the lower courts’ decisions and give the president a green light to abuse his power. The Court has an obligation to stand up to this illegal power grab by the Executive, and Congress has an obligation to reassert our authority over taxation and tariffs.” 

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in Learning Resources v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, Inc. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. 

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