 After the Supreme Court threw out Trump’s “emergency” tariffs on Friday, Bynum quickly introduced legislation to refund small businesses that were forced to pay illegal tariffs and customs duties.
Bynum’s RELIEF Act would require the Administration to reimburse businesses within 90 days of becoming law – saving Oregon small businesses from having to individually apply or formally protest for relief.
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly:
“Janelle Bynum is a champion for Oregon’s small businesses and workers. Almost immediately after the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s reckless tariffs, Bynum got to work to help jumpstart relief for Oregon small businesses. She’s focused on solutions that’ll put money back in the pockets of hardworking Oregonians.”
Read the reporting for yourself…
KOIN: Bynum introduces bill for small business refunds after Trump admin’s ‘reckless’ tariffs
- Democratic Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) introduced a bill on Friday aiming to help small businesses impacted by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
- The bill would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to automatically refund tariffs and customs duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act since Jan. 1, 2025.
- The bill comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s tariffs imposed under the IEEPA in a lawsuit led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.
- Bynum explained current law offers no automatic refund for businesses impacted by the tariffs. Bynum argues that without congressional action, businesses that paid tariffs under IEEPA could face prolonged litigation or uncertainty while trying to recover business funds.
- While large corporations might be able to recover tariff payments through years of litigation, small businesses may not have resources to do so, the lawmakers said.
- Under the RELIEF Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be required to refund businesses within 90 days of the bill becoming law, and according to Bynum and Horsford, the measure would eliminate the need to individually refund applications or formal protests.
- “Throughout his term, President Trump has enacted reckless, misguided, and harmful tariffs – our small business shouldn’t have to pay the price for his incompetence,” said Rep. Bynum. “This bill will make our small businesses whole by refunding their needlessly high tariffs. It’s past time this Administration starts putting the American people first.”
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