WASHINGTON — A small group of House Republicans blocked a key procedural vote on Tuesday night, hindering efforts to maintain a ban on congressional challenges to President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs. The action, led by Republican Representatives Don Bacon, Thomas Massie, and Kevin Kiley, aligned with all Democrats in a 214-217 vote, effectively stopping language that would continue prohibiting House votes against the tariffs initiated under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA). Notably, Rep. Gregory Murphy of North Carolina did not participate in the vote.
Rep. Bacon expressed concerns post-vote on X, emphasizing the importance of Congress having the ability to debate tariffs, describing them as a significant economic burden for American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers. He highlighted the constitutional authority of Congress over taxes and tariffs, advocating for reclaiming this responsibility from the executive branch, and criticized the use of procedural “rules” votes to enact legislation without open debate.
The contested provision, embedded in a vote to advance three unrelated bills, aimed to extend the ban until July 31. Trump’s national emergency declarations in 2025 led to the resolution in September that blocked congressional actions against his tariffs imposed on February 1, April 2, July 30, and August 6. These tariffs targeted imports from nations like Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, and India, raising concerns over international trade dynamics.
Trump’s unique application of IEEPA to instantly impose tariffs is under scrutiny by the U.S. Supreme Court following a lawsuit by small businesses. The court heard oral arguments in early November, and a decision has been anticipated for months, potentially affecting future executive authority on tariff imposition.
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