Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Craig (MN-02) released the below statement, following the decision by the Republican majority to ban the U.S. House of Representatives from voting to overturn President Trump’s tariffs, which have created an economic crisis in farm country and rising costs across America.

“Rural America is hurting. Farm bankruptcies are up 95 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to last year. Farmers are facing a crisis of historic proportions as the president’s trade war pushes our largest trade partners into the arms of competitors. Harvest is approaching and our farmers have lost their markets. Where are House Republicans? Enabling and supporting the very trade policies and tariffs that are driving the rural economy into the ground.

“I have heard my Republican colleagues say that they are gravely concerned with the economic situation in farm country. Some go as far as to say they have never seen it this bad before – an implicit acknowledgement that the president’s trade wars are failing America’s family farmers. Yet, they continue to look the other way and wash their hands of trade policy that Congress has every right to challenge or overturn. Any self-respecting representative of farm country would stand up and fight this. Our family farmers deserve better.”

Background
Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution establishes Congress’ role in setting tariffs and regulating foreign commerce. This week, House Republican leaders decided to ban the House from challenge the president’s unilateral tariffs until March 2026. This is the second time House Republican leaders have stripped the 119^th Congress of its ability to stop the president’s trade wars.