Congress Shows Signs of Life, Rebukes Trump’s Unpopular Tariffs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the first in a series of bills exercising congressional authority to end the “emergencies” that Donald Trump has declared in order to institute reckless tariffs that threaten regular people’s wellbeing. The vote was only held because the time limit had expired on Speaker Johnson’s bizarre procedural maneuver that declared several months would count as only one calendar day for this privileged resolution. Several Republican members defected, allowing the measure rebuking Trump’s tariffs on Canada to pass 219-211. The Senate has previously passed its chamber’s version of the resolutions, making it highly likely that the bills will make it to President Trump’s desk, where he is expected to veto.
Melinda St. Louis, Global Trade Watch Director at Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Congress is right to reject the fraudulent national emergencies that Trump has relied on to impose chaotic tariffs.
“Instead of using tariffs strategically to support critical industries and combat unfair trade practices, Trump has overstepped his authority and weaponized sweeping tariffs to force countries into secretive deals packed with giveaways for Big Tech and other large corporate interests.
“Members of Congress across the political spectrum are increasingly speaking out against Trump’s tariffs as Americans grow frustrated with an economic agenda that benefits the billionaire class at the expense of working people.”