Senate GOP leaders succeed in protecting Trump tariffs

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.

Comments

World news

Express

Hamas 'deliberately and systematically' using Gazans as 'human shields' in Israel war

about 2 hours ago

Independent

Luigi Mangione’s defense fund nears $1 million as donations pour in ahead of accused killer’s birthday

about 2 hours ago

Independent

Dave Portnoy sending students to Auschwitz for ‘learning experience’ after antisemitic sign held up at his Philadelphia bar

about 2 hours ago

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Australia politics live: ‘Concerns about his capability’ and ‘zero economic policy’ – Liberal senator launches extraordinary attack on Angus Taylor

Labor’s lower-house lead and the Senate state of play: the election in four charts

Tkachuk says playoff experience good for Senators

Chilean woman with muscular dystrophy becomes face of euthanasia debate as bill stalls in Senate

Chilean woman with muscular dystrophy becomes face of euthanasia debate as bill stalls in Senate

MTG is considering running for the Senate. She is dead last in a poll of potential candidates

Scoop: Senate GOP freezing out House lawmakers ahead of 2026

Fate of California's auto standards will come down to Senate battle

ACT Liberals’ lead Senate candidate says Dutton’s plan to slash public service ‘unrealistic’

Senate confirms former Sen. David Perdue as Trump's U.S. ambassador to China amid tariff showdown

Elon Musk’s Doge conflicts of interest worth $2.37bn, Senate report says

Bernie Sanders torches Senate Democrat Elissa Slotkin: Americans aren’t ‘dumb’ and know what ‘oligarchy’ means

Nationals senator Bridget McKenize insists Coalition won’t cut working holiday visas

Senators challenge Hegseth on civilian deaths in Yemen strikes

Jewish senators accuse Trump of exploiting antisemitism to target universities

Dick Durbin won’t seek re-election after nearly three decades in US Senate

Whoever wins Australia’s election will need to work with the Senate. Here’s how it could look

Wife of disgraced senator Bob Menendez is found guilty of taking bribes and faces decades behind bars

Senator says trip to El Salvador was to support Kilmar Ábrego García’s due process

US senator says 'traumatised' man deported to El Salvador moved to new prison

World news

Hamas 'deliberately and systematically' using Gazans as 'human shields' in Israel war

Luigi Mangione’s defense fund nears $1 million as donations pour in ahead of accused killer’s birthday

Dave Portnoy sending students to Auschwitz for ‘learning experience’ after antisemitic sign held up at his Philadelphia bar

‘He needs to resign’: Democrats react with quiet shock to damning John Fetterman profile

Missile fired by Iran-backed Yemen rebels halts Israel flights before Gaza war vote

Residents on evacuation standby as wildfire blazes northeast of Edmonton

Recovery of sunken Bayesian superyacht begins off coast of Italy

Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster

Trump wants 'total dismantlement' of Iran's nuclear program

Donald Trump issues major update on third term in the White House

Donald Trump threatens to take Greenland with military force: 'I don't rule it out!'

SNL mocks Trump’s use of executive orders: ‘Reduce the number of interracial couples in TV commercials’

Warren Buffett reveals his thoughts on tariffs at Berkshire Hathaway conference

Heavy rains continue to pound Puerto Rico, flooding streets and causing 2nd death

80 years after the liberation from the Nazis, the Dutch commemorate the victims of war

At Mass in housing projects and tourist hotspots, Romans pray next pope focuses on poverty and peace

Arias sparks 3-run inning as Guardians beat Jays

Fourteen children bailed after being arrested over death of boy in fire

UN and aid groups denounce Israeli-U.S. plan for Gaza aid delivery

Trump says he won't seek a third term

Syrian security forces 'oversaw' armed civilians who killed Alawites, accused man says

Sudan’s Army Says Paramilitary Forces Struck Civilian Targets

80 Years After Dachau Concentration Camp Liberation, Witnesses Remember

Monday Briefing: Inside Australia’s Election

Drivers of these 4 popular cars could face parking fines for little-known rule

The top 10 countries with the strongest passports - full list

Ukrainian civilians reveal details of Putin’s latest horror attack - ‘I wanted to die’

Greece bombing horror as woman killed in blast

Cold case of missing Wisconsin mother finally solved after more than 60 years

Biden’s team walked back idea of a public cognitive test in 2024 over optics concerns, new book says

Art Institute of Chicago president accused of stripping off during United Airlines flight

At least 32 injured as shuttle bus crashes into Missouri ditch

Wildfire prompts evacuation at James Smith Cree Nation

Maple Leafs set to face Panthers in second round

Plane crashes into Los Angeles-area neighbourhood, killing 2 people and a dog

Durham Region police reveal first homicide of 2025, launch probe

Balance, pace and a wicked left foot – Cole Palmer can shape football’s future

So what if Malpractice is boring? It’s still brilliant

Brit-born lion tamer slammed for 'cruel' circus act as big cats 'trained through fear'

Woman's horror find as she muches on Cadbury's chocolate Easter bunny

A disturbance in the force: White House's Star Wars Day post raises eyebrows

"Wanton cruelty": Trans athletes see sports ban as step toward societal erasure

‘There will be big hits’ – Netanyahu vows to respond to Houthi rebels and Iranian ‘terror masters’ after airport blast

Vehicle crashes into entrance at Manila airport, killing 2 people including a young girl

Putin claims he ‘hopes nuclear weapons will not be needed’ in Ukraine

Hundreds join search for missing New York Democrat on Long Island

Trump is desperate to brand his opponents as communists. But why?

Search continues for children, 4 and 6, missing in rural N.S. since Friday

Military action against Canada is ‘highly unlikely,’ Trump says

Toronto police arrest, charge teenager with April double homicide in GTA

Measles exposure alert issued for communities south of Winnipeg

UK police arrest several Iranian men across country in alleged attack plot

Labour hopes immigration crackdown and interest rate cut can stop Reform

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings as 8/10 Palmer outclasses ‘average’ Jones

Reform is about to be put under the microscope and the strain will start to show

Forty years on, we’re still learning the lessons of the Bradford City fire

Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR to face off in Super League’s return to Las Vegas