Senate sounds off on resolution to cancel Trump Canada tariffs

A Democrat-led resolution aimed at undoing President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada made significant progress in the Senate on Wednesday, with several Republicans breaking party lines to support it. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky all backed the resolution, resulting in a final vote of 51 to 48.

Former GOP Senate leader McConnell, who had previously warned against the negative impacts of tariffs, reiterated his stance after the vote, stating that tariffs are bad policy and that trade wars with allies harm working people the most. Despite the opposition from Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, who criticized the resolution, it successfully passed and is now headed to the House of Representatives.

The privileged resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., seeks to end the emergency declaration that Trump made at the northern border on February 1. The White House had issued a statement prior to the vote, indicating that advisors would recommend a veto if the resolution passed the Senate.

In response to the resolution’s passage, the White House expressed concerns about undermining national security efforts to combat the influx of fentanyl, criminal networks, and terrorists crossing the northern border. However, Kaine argued that Trump’s emergency declaration was an abuse of power and urged Congress to push back against it.

Despite Trump’s social media call-out of Republican Senators who supported the resolution, including McConnell, Collins, Murkowski, and Paul, the Senate ultimately voted in favor of undoing the tariffs. Collins, in her floor remarks, highlighted the potential price hikes and harmful impacts on Maine families as a result of the tariffs, emphasizing the need to protect the interests of the most vulnerable.

Paul, a long-time critic of tariffs, reiterated his opposition, warning against the economic repercussions and higher prices that could result from trade restrictions with Canada. He emphasized that tariffs are essentially taxes, which go against conservative principles of limited government intervention.

In conclusion, the passage of the resolution underscores bipartisan support for reversing Trump’s tariffs against Canada and prioritizing economic stability and trade relations with one of America’s closest allies. The resolution will now move to the House for further consideration, marking a significant step in challenging the administration’s trade policies.