GOP revolt opens up lane for votes on challenging Trump tariffs
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Speaker Mike Johnson heads to the House Chamber on Feb. 3. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images
A group of Republicans staged a rebellion on the House floor Tuesday night over leadership's move to block members from challenging President Trump's tariffs, defeating a measure that would have reinstated the ban.
Why it matters: With the election nine months away and economic issues looming large, some House Republicans are becoming increasingly uneasy about defending Trump's tariffs — and continuing to cede their constitutional authority over trade.
- The rule failed with Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) voting "no."
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) can only afford to lose one vote on party-line measures.
Driving the news: GOP leaders, with help from White House, engaged in an intense whip effort throughout the day that ultimately failed.
- The Tuesday night vote — which was postponed earlier in the day by seven hours — was left open for almost 90 minutes, and failed 214-217.
- The last time a rule — a procedural measure that typically passes along party lines — failed was over the summer.
Catch up quick: Johnson, at the request of the White House, moved Monday to include language in the rules package to block tariff disapproval resolutions until July 31.
- House Democrats are prepared to tee up a resolution challenging Trump's tariffs on Canada on Wednesday in what would be a politically tough vote for many Republicans.
Flashback: Tariff-skeptical Republicans staged a similar mini-rebellion last September over extending the provision to thwart tariff-related votes.
- That fight ended with three GOP defections and leadership agreeing to shorten the ban on tariff disapproval votes from the end of March to the end of January.
- At the time, the members indicated they would not support extending the blockade on tariff votes.
What they're saying: "This isn't the purpose of a rule. It's meant to bring a bill to the floor set the parameters for debate. It's not meant to smuggle in unrelated provisions that expand the power of leadership at the expense of our members," Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif) told Axios on Tuesday.
- "I think it's the job of Congress to take this vote and decide if tariffs are good, or if tariffs are bad," Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) told reporters Tuesday morning. Spartz ultimately voted "yes" on the rule.
The other side: Johnson said extending the prohibition would give the Supreme Court time to weigh in.
- "I think it's logical to allow that to continue. The President's trade policies have been a great benefit to the country," he said.
- In a closed-door conference meeting Tuesday morning, Johnson told members that they should support the rule because it saves them from taking politically painful votes on the tariffs.
