Horsford and Bynum Introduce RELIEF Act Following Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
February 20, 2026
Legislation would provide automatic refunds to small and independent businesses following Court decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) today responded to the Supreme Court’s decision holding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose broad-based tariffs.
While the Court addressed the legality of the tariffs, current law provides no automatic refund mechanism for businesses. Without congressional action, businesses that paid tariffs under IEEPA could face prolonged litigation or administrative uncertainty in attempting to recover funds.
Large corporations may be able to recover tariff payments through years of litigation, but small and independent businesses lack the resources to do so, creating an uneven playing field. To address that gap, Horsford and Bynum are introducing the Restoring Economic Lifelines for Independent Enterprises and Family Businesses (RELIEF) Act, legislation requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection to automatically refund tariffs and customs duties collected under IEEPA since January 1, 2025.
“When the government takes money without proper authority, it doesn’t get to keep it,” said Rep. Horsford. “These blanket tariffs drove up prices, squeezed small businesses, and made everyday life more expensive for working people. The Supreme Court has now made clear the law used to impose them did not authorize that action. It’s time to return the money and begin repairing the damage by this reckless trade policy.”
“Throughout his term, President Trump has enacted reckless, misguided, and harmful tariffs – our small business shouldn't have to pay the price for his incompetence," said Rep. Bynum. “This bill will make our small businesses whole by refunding their needlessly high tariffs. It's past time this Administration starts putting the American people first.”
The RELIEF Act would:
• Require refunds within 90 days of enactment
• Apply to covered tariffs collected since January 1, 2025
• Eliminate the need for individual applications or formal protests
Congressman Horsford has repeatedly called out Trump’s blanket tariffs which has caused families to face higher prices for everyday goods, and small businesses are left struggling to compete. The Trump administration has repeatedly shown that there is no clear strategy behind these tariffs, a point highlighted during the Congressman’s questioning of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Read more here.
To read the full bill text, click here.
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Issues:Economy