February 20, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC– Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to strike down tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
“This Administration’s illegal and disastrous tariffs have hurt Marylanders – the families who have struggled every day to put food on the table, the farmers on the Eastern Shore, the small businesses in downtown Baltimore, the manufacturers in Mountain Maryland – and everyone in between. Finally, the Supreme Court ruled these tariffs are an unconstitutional tax on the American people, saying the President lacks authority to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. The Court reaffirmed that the power of the purse resides with Congress.
“When I first came to the Senate one year ago, I knew I needed to act fast to hold the President and Republicans accountable for these disastrous tariffs. My first bill, the Tariff Transparency Act, would have required the Trump Administration to disclose the true cost of many of these tariffs to the American people. Republicans blocked it. I continued to fight for Maryland businesses, farmers, and families in fighting against these tariffs – joining many amicus briefs at every step of the litigation process, including the Supreme Court case that led to today’s decision.
“Today’s decision reaffirms Congress’ responsibility to set trade policy. The Administration must work with Congress quickly to refund Marylanders for the money they have paid for tariffs that were chaotic, arbitrary, and now illegal.”
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