OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
The Republican – controlled House voted this week to block Congress from quickly challenging tariffs imposed by President Trump that have unsettled financial markets.
The 216 – 214 vote, largely along party lines, delays lawmakers’ ability to force a vote to revoke Trump’s tariffs and immigration actions for the rest of the year.
Since taking office, Trump has announced a series of tariffs that have strained relations with major trading partners such as Mexico and China, and this week he escalated a trade war with Canada—moves that have rattled markets and prompted business leaders to warn of weakening consumer demand.
Trump has stated that the tariffs are intended to address unbalanced trade relations, repatriate jobs, and stem the flow of illegal narcotics from abroad, Reuters noted.
Tuesday’s vote effectively halted an effort to challenge his tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico—a challenge sponsored by Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington that was scheduled for later this month.
“Every House Republican who voted for this measure is voting to give Trump expanded powers to raise taxes on American households through tariffs with full knowledge of how he is using those powers, and every Republican will own the economic consequences of that vote,” DelBene and fellow Democrat, Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia, claimed in a statement.
“This is an appropriate balance of powers and we trust this White House to do the right thing, and I think that was the right vote and it was reflected in the vote count,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R – La.) said when asked by Reuters why he was okay with ceding more power to the Executive Branch regarding trade.
DelBene attempted to force a vote using the National Emergencies Act, which grants the president special powers during emergencies—a justification Trump invoked for his tariff actions. The law also allows representatives to trigger a House vote within 15 days to revoke the president’s emergency authority, provided that the Senate also passes the resolution.