Senate GOP leaders succeed in protecting Trump tariffs
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks at a press conference with other members of Senate Republican leadership following a policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol on April 29. Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Senate on Wednesday killed a resolution that would have effectively reversed President Trump's 10% tariffs on all imported goods, with just three Republicans joining with Democrats in support of the measure.
Why it matters: The vote is a win for Trump and Senate Republican leaders, who lobbied lawmakers against backing the resolution and handing Democrats a messaging win.
- It comes the same day the Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter — the first contraction in three years.
The details: GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky voted with Democrats to in favor of the resolution, which failed in a 49-49 vote.
- Democrats' efforts to pass the measure were hindered by the absence of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) , who was returning to the U.S. from South Korea.
- Former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) did not vote. His office said in a statement that he has "been consistent in opposing tariffs and that a trade war is not in the best interest of American households and businesses."
- "He believes that tariffs are a tax increase on everybody."
The big picture: Senate Republican leadership worked hard to get moderates to vote against the resolution, emphasizing the latest effort would undo the heavy tariffs imposed on China, too.
- A handful of GOP senators helped Democrats pass a similar resolution at the beginning of the month that would have reversed Trump's tariffs on Canada.
- Senate GOP leadership argued that Wednesday's measure was different than the one targeting levies on Canada, according to a source familiar with the talks.
Zoom in: Senate Democrats are using one of the only tools at their disposal to land direct shots against the White House's trade policies.
- Lawmakers can unilaterally force votes on disapproving of the administration's declaration of a national emergency. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) used that tactic to bring the vote on Wednesday.
- The Democratic tactic is pressing on Republican Party fault lines over concerns about price increases and how broadly Trump is trying to stretch presidential powers.
- The legislation disapproves of the emergency powers Trump has used to place tariffs on allies and adversaries alike.
What they're saying: "I think these are more symbolic votes that Democrats are trying to engineer," Thune told reporters ahead of the vote.
- "Republicans are trying to give the administration, as we said, before, some space to figure out if they can get some good deals and awaiting the results of that," he added.
What to watch: Paul suggested that the issue could resurface, particularly if the economy worsens.
- "It's still a debate worth having, because, you know, if a month from now, we have massive tariffs go on and we have a massive sell off in the stock market, and we didn't have a first good quarter in growth, and if it's worse again in the second quarter, people would start asking, "Is it good policy, or is it a bad policy?'"
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
