Senate Republicans narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) that may have blocked global tariffs introduced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win as lawmakers in each events have remained skeptical of his commerce agenda.
Mr. Trump introduced the far-reaching tariffs on almost all U.S. buying and selling companions April 2 after which reversed himself just a few days later after a market meltdown, suspending the import taxes for 90 days. Amid the uncertainty for each U.S. customers and companies, the Commerce Department mentioned Wednesday that the U.S. economic system shrank 0.3% from January via March, the primary drop in three years.
The 49-49 vote got here weeks after the Senate authorised a resolution that may have have thwarted Mr. Trump’s means to impose tariffs on Canada. That measure handed 51-48 with the votes of 4 Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky. But McConnell — who has been sharply important of the tariffs however had not mentioned how he would vote — and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse had been absent Wednesday, denying Democrats the votes for passage.
Democrats mentioned their major goal was to put Republicans on the report both means and to attempt to reassert congressional powers.
“The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,” mentioned Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer mentioned the dismal economic numbers needs to be a “wakeup call” to Republicans.
Wary of a rebuke to Trump, GOP leaders inspired their convention not to vote for the resolution, whilst a lot of them stay unconvinced in regards to the tariffs. Vice President J.D. Vance attended a Senate GOP luncheon Tuesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assured senators that the administration is making progress towards commerce offers with particular person nations.
Ms. Collins mentioned the shut vote “demonstrates that there is unease with the President’s plan.”
“It’s partially the president’s plan is still evolving but many of us are hearing from employers back home about the impact of the tariffs in a negative way,” she mentioned.
Some Republicans argued that the vote was a political stunt. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis mentioned he backs separate laws by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley that may give Congress elevated energy over figuring out tariffs however would voted on the resolution, which he mentioned is just about “making a point.”
Several Republicans defended Trump’s tariffs — and mentioned they had been keen to give him time to determine it out.
“People are willing to give the president an opportunity to prove that the new system works,” mentioned Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn mentioned the vote exhibits that senators “believe that the President’s policies deserve to be tried and see if they’re successful.”
Democrats say the Republicans’ failure to arise to Mr. Trump might have dire penalties. “The only thing Donald Trump’s tariffs have succeeded in is raising the odds of recession and sending markets into a tailspin,” mentioned Schumer, D-N.Y. “Today, they have to choose – stick with Trump or stand with your states.”
The Democratic resolution pressured a vote below a statute that permits them to attempt to terminate the nationwide economic emergency Trump used to levy the tariffs.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren referred to as it a “fake” emergency that Trump is utilizing to impose his “on again, off again, red light, green light tariffs.”
The tariffs “are pushing our economy off a cliff,” Warren mentioned.
Republicans held a procedural vote after the tied vote to be certain that Democrats couldn’t carry the resolution up once more, Senate Majority Leader John Thune instructed reporters afterward. Vice President J.D. Vance got here to the Capitol to break the tie and guarantee they dismissed the resolution for good.
The Republican president has tried to reassure voters that his tariffs won’t provoke a recession as his administration has targeted on China, elevating tariffs on Chinese items to 145% whilst he paused the others. He instructed his Cabinet Wednesday morning that his tariffs meant China was “having tremendous difficulty because their factories are not doing business.”
Mr. Trump mentioned the U.S. does not likely want imports from the world’s dominant producer. “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” he mentioned. “So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”
Published – May 01, 2025 09:30 am IST
