The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly voted 217–214 on Tuesday to reject a Republican-led effort to block legislative challenges to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, opening the door for Democrats to attempt to overturn trade measures on Canada and other countries. The failed procedural move would have barred tariff-related challenges through July 31 and was attached to a rule governing debate on three unrelated bills. Three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the restriction, underscoring growing unease within the GOP over the economic impact of the tariffs.
Representative Don Bacon, one of the Republicans who voted against the measure, said Congress must retain the ability to debate trade policy, calling tariffs a “net negative” that function as a tax on American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers. The outcome poses a setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who leads a slim Republican majority and can afford few defections on party-line votes. Democrats are now seeking a vote as early as Wednesday to end Trump’s use of a national emergency declaration to justify punitive tariffs, particularly those targeting Canadian imports.
Republicans had previously adopted a rule last year preventing such challenges, but it expired amid internal opposition tied to rising economic concerns. Lawmakers cited estimates highlighting the financial burden on households, including analysis from the Yale Budget Lab placing median annual tariff costs at about $1,400 per U.S. household, while the Tax Foundation projected costs between $1,000 and $1,300. Johnson had argued the procedural block was necessary ahead of a potential Supreme Court of the United States ruling on tariff legality, but Tuesday’s vote signals mounting bipartisan pressure to reexamine the trade measures.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
