SCOTUS Strikes Down Key Trump Tariffs backed by Nunn and Miller-Meeks
Court rebukes misuse of emergency powers while Iowa families continue to pay the price
DES MOINES, IA — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down most of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs imposed under emergency powers, ruling that the president exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The 6-3 decision makes clear that Congress, not the president, holds the power to impose tariffs of this scale. For Iowa families and small businesses who have been paying the price, the ruling is a long-overdue check on policies that have driven up costs across the board. Economists say the ramifications of the Administration’s tariff policies have fallen almost entirely on U.S. consumers, while disproportionately affecting food, manufacturing, and small businesses.
Reports from the Congressional Budget Office and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that nearly 90% of the costs from tariffs imposed between January and August 2025 were paid by U.S. consumers. The Tax Foundation found that households saw an additional $1,000 in costs in 2025 and are expected to pay $1,300 more in 2026, with middle- and lower-income families losing nearly two-thirds of the intended benefits of recent tax legislation due to tariffs. Food imports alone carry an effective 12% tax burden, further straining household budgets.
Congressman Zach Nunn and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks have repeatedly voted for and defended these tariffs, even as prices rise and job losses mount. Nunn has said tariffs are “winning,” though many constituents continue to feel the opposite. While he has recently suggested he could vote to rein in tariffs in the future, he has yet to take that step. Last week, both Iowa Republicans voted for tariffs that would directly increase costs for Midwestern families.
Peter Rose, a retired Iowan featured in Fairness for Iowa ads calling out Nunn’s support for tariffs, said:
“The costs of everything are going up, it is really getting out of hand. Wages and Social Security increases aren’t keeping up with what we’re paying. We need our representatives to stop protecting billionaires and start protecting working families, but instead they’ve doubled down on tariffs.”
“It's good to see a branch of government finally provide checks and balances," said Mazie Stilwell, Executive Director of Progress Iowa. "It should have been Congressmen Nunn & Miller-Meeks standing up against sweeping tariffs and power grabs. But they continue leaving Iowans with the check to pass tax breaks for billionaires. Iowans have already absorbed the costs of these policies, and recovery will take time, but today’s decision is an important step toward stabilizing prices and protecting consumers moving forward.”
Iowans continue to call for leaders who will focus on affordability, not on protecting out-of-control tariffs that raise costs on everyday necessities.