In a strategic maneuver, Republicans are advancing a procedural rule aimed at curtailing the U.S. Congress’s ability to counteract President Donald Trump’s controversial tariff policies.
The House of Representatives’ rules committee approved a measure on Wednesday that would prevent the House from voting on any legislation intended to overturn the president’s recently implemented taxes on foreign imports.
This tactical move was merged into procedural rule legislation that sets the stage for debate on a separate matter: the budget resolution critical to Trump’s agenda.
Should it be adopted, the rule will effectively stall efforts, particularly from Democrats, to compel a floor vote on a resolution disapproving of the national emergency declared by Trump to justify the tariffs.
This approach reflects a similar tactic previously employed to safeguard Trump’s prior tariff actions.
On the same day, Trump announced a significant policy shift, implementing a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries while increasing them to 125% for China.
Despite growing concerns regarding the Republicans’ endorsement of what some view as an expansion of presidential power, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the tariffs as an “America First” policy, asserting that they require adequate latitude to be effective.
He expressed his beliefs to reporters, saying, “I’ve made it very clear, I think the president has executive authority.
It’s an appropriate level of authority to deal with unfair trade practices … That’s part of the role of the president is to negotiate with other countries … and he is doing that, in my estimation, very effectively right now.”
In opposition, Republicans moved against a resolution introduced by Gregory Meeks of New York and other House Democrats seeking to terminate the national emergency declared on April 2.
This declaration has been utilized by Trump to impose expansive new tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The Republicans’ blockade specifically targets the expedited process of reviewing national emergencies outlined in the National Emergencies Act, stating that the time frame from April 9 to September 30 will not count toward the typical 15-day window that allows for accelerated floor votes on disapproval measures.
Democrats have vocally condemned the GOP’s actions, charging that it obstructs debate and prioritizes Trump at the expense of the economy and congressional oversight.
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico voiced her frustrations, stating, “We only need four Republicans, only four Republicans to vote with Democrats to review the tariffs and stop this madness … Do you support tariffs that are throwing our economy into recession?
Do you support tariffs that are hurting our families? … Then get up on the floor and debate that.
But don’t prevent us from having that debate.”
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington echoed these sentiments, emphasizing, “Congress should have a role here.
It’s terrible that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle aren’t willing to have a vote, too.”
Although the proposed rule change impedes the expedited process under the National Emergencies Act, it does not entirely eliminate alternative pathways for imposing a vote, such as a discharge petition, which can often be arduous to execute.
Meeks asserted, “They can run but they can’t hide.
At some point they’re going to have to vote … We’re not going to stop.
The American people have a right to know whether you’re for the tariffs or against them.
And if they vote this rule in, that will show that they’re trying to hide.”
On their part, Republicans countered that similar procedural tactics had been used by Democrats in the past to block votes on issues like the termination of the Covid-19 national emergency during their control of the House.
Rules committee chair Virginia Foxx from North Carolina remarked, “A reminder about those who live in glass houses … This is a tool utilized by both Democrat and Republican majorities.”
This isn’t the first occurrence of Republican leadership utilizing such strategies to protect Trump’s tariff decisions.
A similar rule was previously adopted to prevent votes on resolutions concerning earlier tariffs imposed on China, Mexico, and Canada, as well as specific levies on Canada.
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