Dan Newhouse

Republican

Representative
State: WA
District: WA-4

Washington

via: timesnownews.com

Trump vs His Own Party: US House Overturns Tariffs on Canada as Republicans Revolt

The decision by the US House came despite a warning to Republicans by President Donald Trump. (Photo: AP)

A simmering Republican revolt over President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs erupted publicly on February 11, as the House voted to overturn his duties on Canada despite last-minute efforts by White House officials to prevent a party split. The Republican-led House approved a measure rescinding the emergency declaration Trump has used to justify imposing tariffs on imports from Canada.

Six Republicans joined Democrats in support of the resolution. The vote was 219 to 211. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain. Even if it were to pass there, it would almost certainly face a Presidential veto.

The House vote marked the first significant challenge to Trump's tariff authority after months of frustration among some Republican lawmakers. For much of the past year, a procedural maneuver allowed Speaker Mike Johnson to block legislation that would have curtailed the President's use of tariffs, a policy tool that some conservatives argue conflicts with traditional Republican economic principles.

Wednesday's action is expected to be the first in a series of Democratic-led efforts to force votes aimed at blocking tariffs on other countries. The renewed scrutiny threatens to deepen divisions within the Republican Party ahead of November's midterm elections.

Shortly after the vote, Trump warned Republicans who opposed him that they would face political consequences. "Any Republican, in the House or Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!" he wrote on Truth Social.

The Republicans who voted to overturn the tariffs were Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Jeff Hurd of Colorado and Kevin Kiley of California. One Democrat, Representative Jared Golden of Maine, voted to preserve the tariffs.

Before the vote, Bacon described the tariffs as a "net negative" and a "significant tax that American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers are paying." "Article I of the Constitution places authority over taxes and tariffs with Congress for a reason, but for too long, we have handed that authority to the executive branch," Mr. Bacon wrote on social media. "It's time for Congress to reclaim that responsibility."

Republican leaders had worked late into the night ahead of the vote in an effort to prevent defections, but were unable to stop the measure from coming to the floor, dealing a setback to Speaker Johnson.

The dispute unfolds as the Supreme Court continues to deliberate on a case concerning the scope of presidential tariff authority. In November, both liberal and conservative justices expressed skepticism about whether the Constitution permits a president to impose taxes on nearly all imported goods without congressional approval. The court has not yet issued a ruling. The justices are scheduled to return from their winter recess on February 20.

With additional votes on tariffs expected in the coming weeks, the issue is poised to remain a flashpoint within the Republican Party and between Congress and the White House.

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Dan Newhouse

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Trump vs His Own Party: US House Overturns Tariffs on Canada as Republicans Revolt