Speaker Mike Johnson failed to reinstate a ban on lawmakers challenging President Donald Trump’s tariffs as three Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats.
The House on Tuesday rejected a procedural vote that would have prevented the chamber from voting against Trump’s tariffs in July. The move opens the door for Democrats to push for a vote to repeal Trump’s tariffs, a blow to the administration.
House margins are razor-thin, Three Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie, Don Bacon and Kevin Kelly — were enough to throw out the vote. With his current advantage, Johnson can only lose one Republican vote in advancing legislation.
The Senate has passed at least three resolutions condemning Trump’s tariffs, but has often faced resistance in the House, where lawmakers have been prevented from forcing votes on the matter.
“I hate suspending the important work of the House, but Congress needs to be able to debate tariffs,” Bacon said in a statement to X.
The Nebraska congressman went on to say, “Tariffs have a ‘net negative’ impact on the economy and are a significant tax paid by American consumers, manufacturers and farmers. There is a reason Article I of the Constitution gives the power of taxes and tariffs to Congress, but for too long we have given this power to the executive branch. It is time for Congress to take back this responsibility.”
Republican leaders believe lawmakers should give the Supreme Court time to weigh in.
Speaker Johnson acknowledged he faces a challenge in maintaining his slim majority after the vote failed.
“Look, this is life with a slim majority. I mean, you know, I need unanimous consent every day, and we didn’t get it 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 continue his trade policies,” he said.
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