Three House Republicans cross party lines to block effort to shield Trump from challenges to his tariffs
Speaker Mike Johnson failed to reinstate a ban on lawmakers’ ability to object to President Donald Trump’s tariffs after three Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats.
The House of Representatives lost a procedural vote Tuesday that included language-blocking votes in the chamber objecting to tariffs that Trump will impose through July. The move opens the door for Democrats to move forward in pushing for votes to repeal Trump’s tariffs, dealing a blow to the administration.
By very narrow margins in the parliament, three Republicans — GOP Reps. Thomas Massie, Don Bacon and Kevin Kiley — were enough to sink the vote. With his current margin, Johnson can afford to lose just one Republican vote to advance the legislation.
There is a Senate made at least three decisions He has rebuked Trump’s tariffs but has routinely faced resistance in the House, where members are prevented from voting on the issue.
Bacon In a statement sent to X he said:“I don’t like pausing the important work of the House, but Congress needs to be able to debate tariffs.”
The Nebraska congressman continued, “Tariffs have been a ‘net negative’ for the economy and are a significant tax paid by American consumers, producers and farmers. Amendment 1 of the Constitution gives Congress authority over taxes and tariffs. That’s true for a reason, but for too long we’ve delegated that authority to the executive branch. It’s time for Congress to take back that responsibility.”
GOP leaders argued lawmakers should give the Supreme Court time. weigh.
Speaker Johnson acknowledged the difficulties he faced in keeping his razor-thin majority together following the failed vote.
“Look, life is a life with a small majority. So, you know, I need unanimity every day, and we didn’t get that tonight,” he told reporters.
“The vast majority of Republicans in the House agree wholeheartedly with the president, and we will give him the latitude to pursue trade policy,” he said.
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