Trump Tariffs Face House Rebuke as Johnson Fails to Block Votes
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Article content(Bloomberg) — House lawmakers could vote as soon as later this week on whether to reject some of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, ahead of a midterm election focused heavily on anxiety over the US cost of living. Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe votes — starting with a resolution opposing the president’s tariffs on Canada — are set to come after lawmakers on Tuesday rejected a last-ditch effort from House Speaker Mike Johnson to prevent them.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentJohnson, one of Trump’s top allies in Congress, has led a legislative blockade for months to insulate Trump’s tariffs, pushing procedural rules that effectively prevented the House from ending the president’s sweeping tariff authority. A fresh Johnson-backed measure would have extended that ban through the end of July.Article contentArticle contentYet Democrats and a trio of Republicans rejected the attempt at another delay. The GOP defectors were Representatives Thomas Massie, who often splits from the president, California’s Kevin Kiley and Don Bacon, a retiring centrist from Omaha.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentDemocrats have latched on to Trump’s tariffs as a key campaign messaging point ahead of a midterm election cycle focused heavily on affordability. The party has pointed to the duties as a driver of inflation and escalating the cost-of-living crisis.Article contentThe Republican-controlled Senate is already on the record as opposing the tariffs, voting last year to pass legislation to abandon the White House emergency global tariffs, as well as the duties on Canada and Brazil. Article contentPassage of similar legislation in the House — likely given the GOP’s tiny majority if it ever came up for a vote — would represent a major, if largely symbolic, rebuke to the president. Article contentHouse Republican leaders, in an effort to prevent that, moved to block tariff votes last year despite a small revolt among some GOP lawmakers that was quelled by promises of regular talks over the impact of Trump’s trade policies. Article contentArticle contentThe speaker told Republican lawmakers in recent days that the House shouldn’t hold any such votes until the Supreme Court rules on whether the president exceeded his authority when he used an emergency law to impose global tariffs.Article contentIt wasn’t immediately clear what House Republican leaders’ next steps would be. Options include tweaking the language of the tariff vote rule and seeking another procedural vote, or pivoting and aiming to limit losses on future tariff-specific legislation.Article contentEven if the House does eventually vote to reverse Trump’s tariffs, it’s unlikely they would be able to force the president to relent. Article contentThat’s because joint resolutions need to be signed by the president into law, or Congress would have to muster a two-thirds vote in both chambers to overturn his veto. Article contentHowever, adverse votes — especially in an election year — would heap political pressure on Trump to change course.Article contentTrending John Manley: Why Canada needs to play it cool on CUSMA — and keep its options open Economy The problem of the Toys 'R' Us $36-million gift card mountain Retail & Marketing 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate BlackBerry cofounder Michael Lazaridis invests in Vancouver-based AI startup Innovation As Cuba fuel crisis deepens, Canadians on the ground remain in vacation mode News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. John Manley: Why Canada needs to play it cool on CUSMA — and keep its options open Economy The problem of the Toys 'R' Us $36-million gift card mountain Retail & Marketing 'Escape hatches are gone': Power of sale listings surge in Toronto Real Estate BlackBerry cofounder Michael Lazaridis invests in Vancouver-based AI startup Innovation As Cuba fuel crisis deepens, Canadians on the ground remain in vacation mode News