In a significant move, the House of Representatives voted 219-211 to overturn President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the White House agenda.This vote is one of the first instances in which the Republican-controlled House has directly challenged the president over a key policy decision, highlighting a growing unease among lawmakers regarding economic issues as midterm elections approach.
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abc7news.compressdemocrat.comThe resolution aims to end the national emergency that Trump declared to implement these tariffs, although actual repeal would necessitate the president's support, which remains unlikely.The measure now heads to the Senate, where additional debate and votes are expected.
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kob.compressdemocrat.comTrump has long advocated for tariffs as a tool to compel US trade partners to negotiate.However, lawmakers are increasingly feeling pressure from constituents and businesses affected by the ongoing trade wars and rising costs of living."Today's vote is simple: Will you vote to lower the cost of living for the American family or keep prices high out of loyalty to one person—Donald J.Trump?" stated Rep.Gregory Meeks, the resolution's author and the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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abc7news.comkob.comThe resolution's passage comes as the Senate has already expressed its disapproval of Trump's tariffs on Canada and other nations, indicating a growing consensus against the administration's trade policies.However, both chambers must approve the measure before it can be sent to Trump for his signature or veto.
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pressdemocrat.comIn response to the vote, Trump issued a stern warning to Republican lawmakers, stating, "Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!" This reflects the high stakes involved as lawmakers weigh their political futures against party loyalty.
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kob.comHouse Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to prevent the vote, urging lawmakers to wait for a pending Supreme Court ruling concerning the tariffs.His efforts to delay the resolution were thwarted when several Republicans broke ranks to support the measure, showcasing a divide within the party.
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abc7news.compressdemocrat.com"We're disappointed in what the people have done," remarked Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, indicating the administration's resolve to maintain the tariffs.
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kob.comThe resolution seeks to terminate the national emergency declared by Trump, which the administration justified by claiming that illicit drug flow from Canada posed a significant threat.Some Republican lawmakers, however, argued that the threat of fentanyl—a drug that has contributed to the opioid crisis—is a legitimate reason to maintain the tariffs.
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abc7news.comkob.comBrian Mast, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized that the resolution should not be seen solely as a debate about tariffs, but rather as an effort to confront the Democratic narrative regarding drug policy and its implications for national security.
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pressdemocrat.comAs the vote approached, some Republican members expressed their concerns over the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.Don Bacon, who voted for the resolution, articulated a need for Congress to assert its authority."Why doesn't Congress stand on its own two feet and say that we're an independent branch?" he questioned.
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kob.comThe political landscape appears increasingly complex as the House navigates the implications of Trump's tariffs and the responses from both parties.With the upcoming elections on the horizon, the dynamics of trade policy will likely remain a focal point of contention.
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abc7news.comkob.comOverall, this vote not only reflects the growing bipartisan dissatisfaction with the current administration's trade policies but also sets the stage for further debates as economic issues persist in the minds of voters leading up to the midterms.