Senator Lisa Murkowski (R‑Alaska) said the Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 decision striking down the Biden administration’s Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs is a “firm reminder” of the constitutional limits on presidential power, speaking on the Senate floor after the ruling was announced.

What the Right Is Saying

Republican senators, such as Mitch McConnell, echoed Murkowski’s remarks, emphasizing that the ruling checks executive overreach and upholds the Constitution’s separation of powers.

The Heritage Foundation’s policy director said the decision sends a clear signal that presidents cannot bypass Congress on trade policy, reinforcing a long‑standing Republican principle of limited executive authority.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, praised the ruling as a victory for Congress, noting that the Court affirmed the need for legislative approval before imposing major trade measures.

The Center for American Progress released a statement arguing that the decision restores the proper balance of power and will protect American manufacturers from unilateral executive action.

What the Numbers Show

The Supreme Court ruled 6‑3, with Justices Roberts, Kavanaugh, Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson, and Thomas in the majority and Justices Alito, Gorsuch, and Barrett dissenting. The administration had sought $8.5 billion in duties on roughly $20 billion of steel and aluminum imports, a move projected to raise consumer prices by about 0.2 %. A Pew Research poll released in February 2026 found that 58 % of Americans believe the president should obtain congressional approval before imposing large‑scale tariffs.

The Bottom Line

The ruling curtails the president’s ability to impose large‑scale tariffs without congressional authorization, establishing a precedent that could affect future trade and economic policies and signaling heightened judicial scrutiny of executive power.