This “Call to Action” was sent to the Henderson County Democratic Party as strategic communication tool for engaging its members by providing a means for taking an immediate personal action. This is Public Domain material that may be adapted for local use.

Facts (science) and knowledge (education) are the foundations for human progress.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs 

“Mr. Trump is the first president to claim that a 1970s emergency statute, which does not mention the word “tariffs,” allowed him to unilaterally impose the duties without congressional approval…on imported goods from more than 100 countries…The (Supreme Court) ruling eliminated Mr. Trump’s primary tool for imposing tariffs, but he moved to work around the court by imposing levies using other trade powers. He cited Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act in setting the (new)10 percent (global) tariff…” (NYT, Feb. 20, 2026) 

No president before him has ever invoked these provisions to establish tariffs. The new 10% tariffs, like the use of the Emergency Act ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, also will be challenged in the courts starting a new round of economic uncertainty, and which are particularly offensive to our allies. 

As noted in The Atlantic, “One institution could put an end to all of this at any time: Congress. The Constitution gives the legislative branch the power to regulate international trade; the only reason Trump is able to levy tariffs at all is because of previous laws passed by Congress that (may) have given him that authority. Congress could decide to take that authority away.”

What You Can Do

Tell Congress to reclaim its Constitutional authority over tariffs by passing a resolution revoking Sections 122 and 300 of the 1974 Trade Act, neither of which explicitly includes the power to set tariffs.

·         Share this e-mail with a friend.

·         Post on Social Media

·         Copy the letter below and e-mail the letter to our elected representatives (their addresses are listed below).

End the new global tariff imposed by Trump by passing a resolution revoking Sections 122 and 300 of the 1974 Trade Act. This will allow the United States to normalize our trade relationship with our allies through mutually beneficial bilaterial agreements approved by Congress.

Here’s how you can contact each of your federal representatives from North Carolina: Each of the links below takes you to a secure web form where you can email a copy of the letter directly, or phone or mail a copy to:

📬 Senator Thom Tillis

·         Email Contact Form: Email Senator Tillis

·         Phone: (202) 224-6342

·         Mailing Address: 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

📬 Senator Ted Budd

·         Email Contact Form: Email Senator Budd

·         Phone: (202) 224-3154

·         Mailing Address: 217 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

📬 Representative Chuck Edwards

·         Email Contact Form: Email Congressman Edwards

·         Phone: (202) 225-6401

·         Mailing Address: 1505 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515