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Oregon’s Ron Wyden Leads Senate Push for $175 Billion in Refunds After Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs News By Diane Megaw On Feb 24, 2026 U.S. Capitol, 21 July 2020 | Courtesy: Senate Democrats Three Senate Democrats have called on the federal government to refund roughly $175 billion in tariff revenues the Supreme Court ruled were based on an illegal set of orders given by President Donald Trump. Senators Demand Refund Of $175 Billion in Trump Tariffs Struck Down by SCOTUS Oregon Senator. Ron Wyden of Oregon, along with Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, will introduce a bill on Monday that would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to issue tariff refunds over 180 days, with interest. The proposal follows Friday’s Supreme Court ruling overturning Trump’s Tariffs. The measure will prioritize refunds to small businesses and encourage importers, wholesalers, and large companies to pass the refunds on to their customers. Senator Wyden stressed that putting the money back in the pockets of small businesses and manufacturers is the first crucial step. He said, “Trump’s illegal tax scheme has already done lasting damage to American families, small businesses, and manufacturers who have been hammered by wave after wave of new Trump tariffs.” The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Wharton Budget Model suggests that tariff refunds would total $175 billion, the equivalent of an average of $1,300 per U.S. household. Tidings Data Snapshot Proposed Tariff Refunds / Key Numbers $175B Estimated total refunds tied to the struck down tariffs $1,300 Average equivalent per U.S. household 180 Days proposed for CBP to issue refunds Interest Refunds would include interest under the proposal Source: Senate Finance Committee release on the refund proposal / Penn Wharton Budget Model estimate / AP reporting on household equivalent Dailytidings.com Figuring out how to structure reimbursements would be tricky, given that the tariffs were felt by customers paying the taxes directly and importers either passing along the cost or absorbing them. The Trump administration has shown little interest in returning tariff revenues since the Supreme Court ruling, asserting that its hands are tied because any refunds should be the responsibility of further litigation in court. Trump previously claimed that refunds would drive up U.S. government debt and hurt the economy. But the proposal may appeal to voters in the mid-term elections rather than having a realistic chance of succeeding. Democrats have been underscoring the message that Trump illegally raised taxes and now refuses to repay the money back to the American people. Trump Tariffs Effect In Oregon Oregon agriculture officials said cherry export activity to China dropped sharply after the trade war started. The state industry is projecting about $86 million in lost sales after tariffs and delays hit this premium market. Indicator What Oregon officials reported Additional context Export certificates to China Down by about half since 2017 for Oregon cherry shipments Sign of reduced shipment volume and higher trade friction Projected sales impact About $86 million in expected lost sales for the Oregon cherry industry Estimate cited by ODA during the trade war period Inspection delays Inspections that took about 2 days sometimes took up to 10 days Longer holds can reduce quality and shelf life More recent U.S. shipments U.S. exports to China estimated around 8,200 tons in 2025 About 35% lower than 2024, per USDA FAS cited in industry coverage Alexis Taylor, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), said that the number of export certificates for Oregon cherry shipments to China has dropped by half since 2017 and confirmed that the state industry expects to lose $86 million in sales. In addition, inspections that once took two days have taken up to 10 days. Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email