Speaker Mike Johnson failed to reinstate a ban on lawmakers’ potential to problem President Donald Trump’s tariffs when three Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats.
The House sank a procedural vote on Tuesday that contained language blocking votes within the chamber that object to Trump’s tariffs via July. The transfer opens the door for Democrats to transfer ahead with forcing votes to repeal Trump’s tariffs, in a blow to the administration.
With razor-thin margins within the House, three Republicans – GOP Reps. Thomas Massie, Don Bacon and Kevin Kiley – have been sufficient to sink the vote. Johnson can solely afford to lose one Republican vote to advance laws with his present margin.
The Senate has passed at least three resolutions rebuking Trump’s tariffs, however routinely bumped into resistance within the House the place members have been blocked from forcing votes on the matter.
Bacon said in a statement posted to X, “I don’t like putting the important work of the House on pause, but Congress needs to be able to debate on tariffs.”
The Nebraska congressman went on to say, “tariffs have been a ‘net negative’ for the economy and are 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. It’s time for Congress to reclaim that responsibility.”
GOP leaders had argued that lawmakers ought to enable the Supreme Court time to weigh in.
Speaker Johnson acknowledged the challenges he faces holding collectively his razor-thin majority after the failed vote.
“Look, this is life with a small majority. I mean, you know, I need unanimity every day, and we didn’t get it tonight,” he advised reporters.
“The vast majority of the House Republicans agree wholeheartedly with the president, and we’re going to give him the latitude to continue his trade policy,” he mentioned.