No Tariffs on Groceries Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5446
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T16:08:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to restrict the President's ability to unilaterally impose new duties (tariffs) on food-related items, requiring explicit congressional approval instead.
Key Provisions
- The President cannot impose proposed duties on articles of food unless Congress first receives a formal request and then passes a specific law approving those duties.
- This restriction does not apply to existing tariff-rate quotas on food items.
- "Articles of food" are defined to include items used for human or animal food or drink, their components, and related agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, manures, and agro-chemicals.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new statutory limit on executive authority over tariffs in the food sector, shifting decision-making power to Congress for any new duties. It does not alter or repeal prior tariff-rate quotas already in place.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Reduces the executive branch's flexibility in trade policy for food items, requiring coordination with Congress for new duties.
- Citizens: May help stabilize food prices by limiting new tariffs that could increase costs for groceries and related products.
- International relations: Could affect U.S. trade negotiations involving agricultural goods, as new duties would need legislative backing.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The President and executive branch agencies responsible for trade enforcement.
- Members of Congress, who gain oversight authority.
- Food importers, exporters, farmers, and manufacturers of agricultural inputs.
- U.S. consumers who purchase groceries and related products.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure reinforces Congress's role in regulating foreign commerce and tariffs, consistent with constitutional authority over trade. It represents a check on executive power in an area where presidents have historically exercised broad discretion through existing trade laws.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Tariffs on Groceries Act — issued 2025-09-17 — PDF (2 pages)