Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) introduced the Tariff Revenue Used to Secure Tomorrow (TRUST) Act, legislation that ensures revenue from tariffs is directed exclusively toward reducing America’s runaway national debt. 

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, any tariff revenue collected above Fiscal Year 2025 levels will be deposited into a newly established Tariff Trust Fund. By law, those funds may only be used for deficit reduction when the federal government is running a budget deficit.

“At more than $37 trillion, America’s debt is an unsustainable burden—driving up costs, undermining our strength, and mortgaging away the future of our children and grandchildren,” said Congressman Moran. “The TRUST Act offers a clear solution: to the extent that tariffs lead to higher revenues, we need to secure that tariff revenue, direct it only to deficit reduction, and chart an intentional course to restore fiscal discipline and protect the future of our nation. Complacency is no longer an option. We must act with urgency and begin to bring down our national debt immediately.”

The national debt has surpassed $37 trillion. It exceeds the GDP of the other five largest economies combined.

Today, we spend nearly $1 trillion a year just to pay the interest on our debt, more than we spend on our entire national defense or Medicare benefits for our seniors.

Key provisions of the TRUST Act include:

• Establishment of the Tariff Trust Fund at the U.S. Treasury.
• Requirement that, for every fiscal year the U.S. maintains a budget deficit beginning in FY2026, tariff revenue collected above FY2025 levels be deposited into the Fund.
• Restriction of those funds to one purpose only: deficit reduction.
• Effective date of October 1, 2025 (the start of FY2026).

Those against argue the Act is problematic because it relies on unpredictable and potentially volatile tariff revenues to fund long-term programs and obligations, creating significant fiscal uncertainty. Tariffs often fluctuate based on trade disputes, global economic conditions, and shifting international policies, meaning they are an unstable funding source for critical initiatives like Social Security, Medicare, or infrastructure. Additionally, increasing tariffs to generate revenue can unintentionally burden American consumers and businesses by raising prices on imported goods, hurting household budgets and reducing competitiveness for U.S. industries. By tying essential programs to a revenue stream dependent on trade policy, the TRUST Act risks undermining financial stability and could ultimately force taxpayers to bear the cost if tariff revenues fall short.

Should Congress pass H.R.5153, the Tariff Revenue Used to Secure Tomorrow (TRUST) Act?