(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
speaker Mike Johnson (Los Angeles Republican) lost a key procedural vote Tuesday night as he sought to delay future votes on the president donald trump Rules for imposing tariffs rewrite what constitutes a day to delay a vote on Trump’s tariff emergency.
Trump’s sweeping global tariffs rely on his use of the National Emergencies Act, which allows the president to use special powers in times of crisis — typically powers explicitly delegated to Congress. However, Congress must vote to renew each emergency declaration annually and approve a new emergency 15 days later.
Johnson tried to pass a rule on Tuesday that included the following sections:
19. Provides that each day between February 10, 2026, and July 31, 2026 shall not constitute a calendar day for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 USC 1622) regarding the joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, April 2, 2025, July 30, 2025, or August 6, 2025.
The rule would allow Trump’s emergency declaration to remain in effect through July, simply by declaring the denial time to exist. represent. Thomas Massey The Kentucky Republican shared the text of the rule on social media, writing, “Congress is required by law to allow a vote on a presidential emergency within 15 days of its declaration. Today the Speaker attempted to pass a resolution that literally took a day, not a day, just to avoid a vote on the emergency that underpinned the tariffs. Smoke and Mirrors!”
former house republican Justin Amash shared Massie’s post and added, “It would be absolutely insane to vote yes on this, but almost every Republican voted to pretend it wasn’t a day.”
represent. don bacon (R-NE), one of three House Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to kill the rule, explained his vote:
I don’t like suspending the important work of the House, but Congress needs to be able to debate tariffs. Tariffs have a “net negative impact” on the economy and are a major tax paid by U.S. consumers, manufacturers and farmers. There’s a reason Article I of the Constitution gives the power of taxes and tariffs to Congress, but for too long we’ve given that power to the executive branch. It is time for Congress to take back this responsibility. I also oppose using rules voting to legislate. I want a debate and a vote on tariffs.
Another Republican lawmaker voted “no” on the rule. Kevin Kelly (R-CA) told reporters he voted to defend Congress’ power.
“I don’t think the House should limit the power of members and expand leadership at the expense of our members,” Kelly said. “That’s what it does, so I think that’s important for the House as an institution.”
Post ‘absolutely insane’: Former Republican congressman blasts Mike Johnson for trying to ‘pretend this day isn’t a day’
