HR 237 — A Resolution condemning the tariff policy of the President of the United States and urging the President to end this tariff policy.

PRINTER'S NO.   1707

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 237
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY WAXMAN, VENKAT, SANCHEZ, PIELLI AND HARKINS,
        MAY 13, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND
        OPERATIONS, MAY 13, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Condemning the tariff policy of the President of the United
 2      States and urging the President to end this tariff policy.
 3      WHEREAS, Since the start of his term in office, the current
 4   President of the United States has used tariffs erratically and
 5   unpredictably; and
 6      WHEREAS, On April 2, 2025, the President announced reciprocal
 7   tariffs on more than 100 countries, with tariff rates ranging
 8   between 10% and 50% based on the size of the trade deficit
 9   between the country and the United States; and
10      WHEREAS, The tariff announcement sent stock markets worldwide
11   tumbling, and on April 9, 2025, the S&P 500 entered the day
12   nearly 19% below its February peak; and
13      WHEREAS, The market turmoil left Americans who were retired
14   or close to retired anxious about their futures; and
15      WHEREAS, Economic forecasts immediately showed an increase in
16   the likelihood of a recession; and
17      WHEREAS, The President's proposed tariffs would have been one
 1   of the largest tax hikes in United States history, roughly
 2   corresponding to a $2,100 tax increase per household in 2025
 3   alone; and
 4         WHEREAS, The increased cost of goods would have hurt lower-
 5   income households especially; and
 6         WHEREAS, The tariffs would have hurt businesses across this
 7   Commonwealth and imposed an additional $5.3 billion in costs;
 8   and
 9         WHEREAS, On April 9, 2025, while the United States Trade
10   Representative was testifying before the United States House
11   Ways and Means Committee to defend the President's tariff
12   policy, the President abruptly announced a 90-day pause on
13   reciprocal tariffs and a lowering of the tariff rates to 10% for
14   most nations, except for those on China; and
15         WHEREAS, The President's whiplashing tariff announcements are
16   already inflicting economic damage and are creating profound
17   uncertainty for businesses, making it challenging to plan; and
18         WHEREAS, The President does not appear to have a coherent
19   strategy regarding tariffs and is unpredictably changing the
20   goals of his tariff policy; and
21         WHEREAS, This action is resulting in the United States being
22   seen as an unreliable trading partner and ally; and
23         WHEREAS, The President's reckless tariff policy is unlikely
24   to accomplish any of his economic goals, but instead will raise
25   costs on Americans and reduce investment in the United States
26   and confidence in the stability of the United States; therefore
27   be it
28         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
29   Commonwealth of Pennsylvania condemn the tariff policy of the
30   President of the United States and urge the President to end

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1   this tariff policy; and be it further
2      RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the
3   President of the United States and to each member of the United
4   States Congress from Pennsylvania.




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