Long Island Pro-Trump Business Owner Joins Schumer in Anti-Tariff Campaign, Reflecting Bipartisan Economic Concerns

Tandy Jeckel, a Long Island business owner and Trump supporter, joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to oppose Trump-era tariffs, citing their negative impact on her boutique, TandyWear. At a Suffolk County press conference, Jeckel emphasized her continued support for Trump but criticized the tariffs for harming small businesses. Schumer, advocating for bipartisan support, introduced legislation to repeal the tariffs, highlighting potential job losses and increased costs for New York families. The bipartisan effort includes a bill to limit presidential tariff authority, reflecting widespread concern over the tariffs' economic effects.

A Shop Owner’s Plea: “This Has to Be Rectified”

Standing beside Senator Schumer in Suffolk County, Jeckel made clear that her support for Trump remains strong, but the tariffs are a breaking point. “I would say an A,” she said when asked to grade Trump’s presidency. “But, with the tariffs, that’s my only issue… because I have a small business. So it’s not really political, it’s just something that—this has to be rectified for our small business, because how long can we go on with this?”

Jeckel, who describes herself as a split-ticket voter, praised Schumer’s long-standing advocacy for Long Island, including his efforts after Superstorm Sandy. But her primary concern now is the economic uncertainty caused by tariffs, which she says are discouraging customers from spending. “Customers are resistant to buy these days because of this shaky uncertainty,” she told Fox News Digital.

Schumer’s Legislative Push Against Tariffs

Schumer, a Democrat from New York, has introduced legislation aimed at rolling back the tariffs imposed under Trump’s trade agenda. At the press conference, he emphasized the bipartisan nature of the issue. “No matter what your vantage, if you're a business, if you are a consumer, if you are in the industry, the tariffs are one giant mess,” Schumer said.

The senator’s bill is co-sponsored by a group of Democratic senators including Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). Schumer also announced plans to force a Senate vote next week to rescind the tariffs and called on the House of Representatives to follow suit.

“This is not a Democratic issue. This is not a Republican issue. This is a people issue,” Schumer said during the event. “Helping people, helping business. And we could use bipartisan support.”

Economic Fallout Across New York and Beyond

Schumer cited job loss projections to illustrate the stakes: nearly 11,000 jobs could be lost in Nassau County and 24,000 in Suffolk County due to the tariffs. He also pointed to similar struggles in upstate New York, where restaurants and small manufacturers are facing rising costs and shrinking margins.

“On Monday I was in restaurants in Syracuse and Albany,” Schumer said. “They're having the same problem: paying more for their goods, less money in people's pockets. So, it's all across the state.”

The senator’s office has released data showing that tariffs could cost New York families up to $5,000 more annually in higher prices for gas, groceries, and other essentials. In Central New York alone, 16,000 jobs are tied to industries directly impacted by the tariffs, according to Schumer’s estimates.

Bipartisan Support and Broader Legislative Efforts

The anti-tariff sentiment is not limited to Democrats. A bipartisan bill led by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Ohio) seeks to limit the president’s authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval. Under the proposed legislation, any new tariffs would require affirmative votes in both chambers of Congress within 60 days or be automatically rescinded.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, has also been vocal in his opposition. “The tariffs are a 10% tax on everything Americans buy,” Wyden said. “Congress needs to pass this bill to overturn these global tariffs for good.”

Governors from both parties have echoed these concerns. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that tariffs could cost American families up to $4,700 annually and noted that even political rivals like Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Mitch McConnell agree on the issue. “If Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, and I agree on something, it means we’re right,” Beshear said.

Small Businesses Bear the Brunt

The economic strain on small businesses has become a central theme in the debate. Etsy CEO Josh Silverman recently warned that the platform’s eight million sellers could become “collateral damage” of the Trump administration’s trade policies. “Disruption and uncertainty can really put a strain on the small business economy,” said PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, who also raised concerns at a recent summit.

In New York, Schumer highlighted the plight of restaurants like Yono’s in Albany and the Emerald Cocktail Kitchen in Syracuse, which are struggling to manage rising costs and unpredictable supply chains. “They don’t even know what they can serve or how they can price it on the menu,” Schumer said, “because nobody knows exactly when or how these tariffs are going to be implemented.”

White House Response

The Trump administration has defended its trade policies, arguing that the tariffs are necessary to combat unfair trade practices, particularly by China. White House spokesman Kush Desai criticized Schumer’s stance, saying, “[He] railed against America’s historic and persistent trade deficits with China for years until President Trump took historic action to actually do something about China’s unfair trade practices and cheating.”

Desai added, “As always, Democrats are playing political games instead of working with the Trump administration to do what’s right.”

A Growing Coalition Against Tariffs

Despite the political divide, the growing coalition of lawmakers, governors, business owners, and advocacy groups opposing the tariffs suggests a shift in the national conversation. As Jeckel’s story illustrates, opposition to tariffs is not confined to one party or ideology. For many small business owners, the issue is not political—it’s personal.

“I think the Trump economy is going to be great—once we get this situation with the tariffs considered,” Jeckel said. Until then, she and others like her are calling for immediate action to bring relief to Main Street.

References

• Pro-Trump shop owner backs Schumer on tariffs: 'This has to be rectified'
• Schumer says he’ll force a vote to rescind Trump’s blanket tariffs
• Bipartisan senators push for congressional oversight on tariffs | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
• Governors Praise Partnerships in Driving Growth at Global Summit
• Schumer joins Long Island store owner to discuss impacts of Trump's ongoing trade war
• Etsy CEO: Small businesses could be ‘collateral damage’ of Trump trade policy