Nevada treasurer urges refunds for 'illegal tariffs'

Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine sent a letter to Congress supporting 19 states' efforts to claw back money lost by citizens under President Donald Trump's "illegal tariffs."

Conine urged congressional leaders in the letter sent Thursday to pass legislation requiring the Trump administration to refund $2.1 billion he said was unconstitutionally taken from Nevadans. His letter backs a plea from Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and 18 other state AGs seeking to hold the Trump administration accountable and recover funds for small businesses and families.

"In the 28 days since Donald Trump's tariffs were ruled unconstitutional, the administration has earned millions of dollars in interest on money that belongs to Nevadans," Conine said.

The Trump administration had pledged to refund claims with interest if the tariffs were found unlawful.

Congress, the AGs argue in their own letter, has a responsibility to guarantee that the Trump administration abides by this commitment and extends relief to as many affected businesses and consumers as possible. They say a legislative solution is critical because the administration continues to imply that a refund process may be delayed or require affected businesses and consumers to sue or file for refunds, which will disproportionately impact small businesses and individuals who may not have the resources to do so.

Conine is asking for timely and automatic refunds for the tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court found unconstitutional in a 6-3 vote on Feb. 20. The tariffs, imposed via executive orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), resulted in estimated $166 billion paid by over 330,000 American businesses, according to the attorneys general's letter.

Small businesses and low-income households, burdened by tariff-driven price increases on necessities, deserve full refunds "without jumping through endless hoops," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a Thursday press conference.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the tariffs exceeded the president's IEEPA powers, noting that the constitution vests the power to levy taxes and duties with Congress. The ruling was a response to multiple state lawsuits challenging Trump's authority.

Following the ruling, Trump threatened more tariffs, prompting Nevada to join 24 states in a lawsuit challenging his attempt to impose tariffs using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

"These reckless tariffs are not abstract policy debates; they are price increases felt at kitchen tables and small businesses across Nevada," Ford said. "After the Supreme Court rejected his earlier justification, the president is trying a new legal theory to reach the same unlawful result."

"We are going back to court to defend Nevada consumers, protect our economy, and uphold the separation of powers," Ford said.