Washington — On Wednesday, the Senate passed a resolution intended to halt the Canada tariffs, with several Republicans breaking ranks with President Trump.
The measure was approved by a vote of 51 to 48, as four Republicans sided with all Democrats. However, it is unlikely that the House will take up the resolution, rendering the vote primarily symbolic.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, former GOP leader Mitch McConnell, and co-sponsor Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
Led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, the resolution seeks to terminate the national emergency that President Trump is utilizing to implement the tariffs, effectively halting the broad levies on foreign imports. Kaine compelled the vote under the National Emergencies Act by circumventing Senate Republican leadership.
The president initially threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico in January, emphasizing the need to bolster border security and curb fentanyl trafficking, before those plans were twice delayed.
Kaine characterized the tariffs as “attacks on everyday people,” stating that the president’s rationale for imposing them is based on “a made-up emergency.” He pointed out that while fentanyl poses a serious issue, it does not originate from Canada, warning that the tariffs would raise the costs of groceries, construction materials, fertilizers, and components necessary for building ships and submarines, which could compromise U.S. national security.
With 47 Democrats and independents in the Senate, the resolution required the backing of at least four Republicans to pass. Leading up to the vote, Mr. Trump exerted pressure on the GOP, asserting that “Republicans in the Senate MUST vote to maintain the National Emergency, so we can finish the job and eliminate the scourge.”
“Don’t allow the Democrats to celebrate a victory,” the president remarked in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, warning of potential repercussions for the Republican Party and, more significantly, for the nation.
Prior to the vote, the president called out the Republican senators who backed the resolution, stating early Wednesday, “Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul, also of Kentucky, will hopefully join the Republican bandwagon for a change.”
“The Senate Bill is merely a ploy by the Democrats to expose the weaknesses of certain Republicans, particularly these four, as it is going nowhere given that the House will never approve it,” Mr. Trump added, urging constituents to contact their senators.
“They have been tremendously challenging to work with and, incredibly disloyal to hardworking Majority Leader John Thune and the Republican Party itself,” the president said.
Thune expressed his disapproval of the measure before the vote, cautioning that it could jeopardize efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking into the country.
“It would be misguided to view this as just a southern border issue,” Thune argued, suggesting that drug cartels will increase fentanyl smuggling at the northern border if left unchecked.
The majority leader committed that Republicans would uphold their promise to “end the lawlessness at our borders.”
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged Republicans to stand with Democrats in support of the resolution, labeling the tariffs a “tax increase on American families, plain and simple.”
“Every single Senate Republican should back Tim’s resolution and support American families,” Schumer stated.
The New York Democrat pointed out Mr. Trump’s call for the GOP to oppose the measure, arguing that the president is “very worried” about its implications.
“He knows they might face defeat here in the Senate,” Schumer concluded.
