EXCLUSIVE — Since taking office three months ago, freshman Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) has shied away from breaking with President Donald Trump, aside from condemning his Jan. 6 pardons.
But that changed after Trump announced his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs that would impose new duties on about 90 countries without any congressional approval. Hurd, who represents Colorado’s Pueblo area and Western Slope, joined with centrist Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) to co-sponsor bipartisan legislation to rein in Trump’s tariff authority.
JEFF HURD, COLORADO’S ‘ACCIDENTAL POLITICIAN’ WHO IS TAKING OVER BOEBERT’S OLD HOUSE SEAT
Hurd, a lawyer, told the Washington Examiner in an interview that his decision to challenge Trump was a matter of following the Constitution.
“I think most folks recognize the importance of this issue for us as an institution, for Congress, and the importance of Article 1, giving Congress this branch that legislative power, and the need to make sure that we look at that carefully and ensure that any exercise of authority by the executive branch is authorized by the legislative branch,” Hurd said on Tuesday. “That’s what the Constitution says, and I would say that regardless of who the president is.”
The Trade Review Act of 2025 is modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which gives Congress the ability to check the president’s power to wage war. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) first introduced the legislation in the Senate and the White House said Trump would veto it.
Despite the opposition from Trump and lacking support from House GOP leadership, Hurd and Bacon moved forward this week with their bipartisan bill and plan to win over more House GOP co-sponsors.
Hurd, who represents Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, which was once held by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), was not included on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s target list released Tuesday the after the Cook Political Report included his seat as “in play” but “likely Republican.”
“One of the things I said when I was running for office was that my top two priorities were the Constitution of the United States and making sure that I take care of the 3rd Congressional District. And I think this legislation is consistent,” Hurd told the Washington Examiner.
Hurd noted he has heard from many constituents concerned about the tariffs — specifically from agriculture producers.
Bacon represents a highly targeted seat, with the Cook Political Report naming it the “toughest district on paper,” as former Vice President Kamala Harris won the greater Omaha area by almost 5 points. The Nebraska Republican remains on the DCCC’s target list and has won reelection since 2017 by appealing to Independent and Democratic voters.
“This is less about the actual tariffs laid by the Trump Administration, some of which I support because they are reciprocal, but more a commitment to uphold the Constitution,” Bacon said in the press release. “Congress has the power of the purse. Our Founders created checks and balances for a reason.”
Trade Review Act of 2025 would give Congress the authority to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval. It requires a joint resolution of approval to extend the tariffs before 60 days pass. Overall, the bill increases congressional oversight on the executive branch’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs.
