As Congressional debates over trade policy continue to intensify, House Republican leaders have agreed to establish a new GOP working group focused on U.S. tariff policy, according to lawmakers involved in recent negotiations.

The decision follows internal GOP talks aimed at uniting the party around a measure to limit future votes on former President Donald Trump's tariffs. In exchange for support, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pledged to create the group to examine tariff reform, trade policy, and Congress's constitutional authority over tariffs.

Key GOP members-including Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.)-flipped their opposition after negotiating directly with House leadership. Johnson also agreed to consider a separate vote this week to shorten the extension of tariff-related authorities from March to January.

"The new working group will address the tariff issue, including possible measures to modify existing policy and clarify Congress' role," McClintock said after the vote. The group will likely include lawmakers from key agricultural states with strong trade interests.

Rep. Don Bacon confirmed he will serve on the group, alongside "other concerned members." With the House Ways and Means Committee overseeing trade legislation, insiders point to Trade Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) as a potential leader of the new panel, though no official appointments have been made.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), also a member of Ways and Means, expressed strong interest in joining. She emphasized the importance of Congress playing a greater role in trade policymaking, while still supporting a strategic approach to tariffs.

"We should be focusing the tariffs on the most egregious nations treating our country very unfairly," she said. "It's a work in progress."

The Constitution gives Congress the authority to set tariffs, a power historically delegated to the executive branch. However, Trump's sweeping use of emergency powers to impose duties on a wide range of imports has reignited debate about that delegation-and prompted legal challenges.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the executive branch exceeded its authority by unilaterally imposing broad tariffs. That decision was upheld by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the matter is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, with oral arguments scheduled for November.

For agriculture producers, particularly exporters of soybeans, corn, beef, and dairy, the potential reshaping of U.S. tariff policy has major implications. Tariffs have long been used as a negotiating tool, but they also raise concerns about market retaliation, supply chain disruption, and trade partner stability. The farm sector remains especially vulnerable to volatile trade policies that can close off access to critical export markets.

The newly established working group signals that the House GOP wants to reassert its constitutional role-especially at a time when farmers and ag trade groups are urging predictability, transparency in tariff-setting, and more targeted approaches to international trade enforcement.