CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratAmendment · S.Amdt. 203· Senate(119-SAMDT-203)

S.Amdt. 203

Rep. Coons
Age: 63 years
Delaware
Introduced
2/20/2025
Sponsored by
Christopher Coons
Cosponsors
None
Changes bill
119-SCONRES-7 — An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

Mr. Coons submitted amendment SA 203 to the congressional budget resolution for fiscal year 2025. As folks who sent us to Washington to look out for your wallets, we need to keep a close eye on how taxes and trade rules affect everyday costs.

The Main Goal

The purpose of this amendment is to add a new point of order in the Senate. In plain English, this creates a roadblock against raising costs on U.S. consumers by slapping tariffs on countries that are either our allies or have a free trade agreement with us.

What It Adds to the Bill

Specifically, the text adds a rule that makes it out of order in the Senate to consider any bill, resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report that would increase tariff rates on most imports from a country if that country:

  • Is an ally of the United States
  • Has a free trade agreement in effect with the United States

How to Bypass the Rule

The amendment also sets up strict rules for getting around this roadblock. To waive or suspend this rule in the Senate, it takes a three-fifths vote of all the chosen and sworn members. It also takes that same three-fifths vote to overturn a ruling by the Chair on this point of order.