In a rare rebuke of US President Donald Trump, six House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a measure aimed at effectively repealing his tariffs on Canada, a key pillar of his second-term economic agenda. The vote, which GOP leaders had worked aggressively to avoid, underscores growing unease within Republican ranks over Trumps escalating trade policies. While the president maintains firm control over the party, the defection signals cracks in support as some lawmakers face mounting pressure from constituents affected by the tariffs. The six Republicans who sided with Democrats were Reps. Thomas Massie, Don Bacon, Kevin Kiley, Jeff Hurd, Brian Fitzpatrick and Dan Newhouse.Trump swiftly responded with a warning on Truth Social.Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries! he wrote.House Speaker, Mike Johnson sought to downplay tensions, telling reporters after visiting the White House that Trump was not upset and noting that the president retains veto authority. Its not going to affect or change his policy. He can veto these things if they come to it, Johnson said. Later, he described the vote as a fruitless exercise, emphasizing that there is not a two-thirds majority in either chamber to override a potential veto. Still, the vote marks a notable moment of GOP dissent. Democrats were able to force consideration of the measure using a procedural mechanism that allows tariff-related resolutions to advance with a simple majority. Similar votes targeting Trumps tariffs on Mexico and his broader liberation day tariffs are expected in the coming weeks. The Senate has already approved a comparable measure to roll back the Canada tariffs, though any final legislation would almost certainly face a presidential veto.Several Republicans who broke ranks cited economic impacts in their home states. Hurd told CNN that farmers and steel manufacturers in his district have felt the strain. At the end of the day, I looked at the Constitution, I looked at what was in the best interest of my district, and I took the vote, Hurd said. Its not easy, but its the right thing and I stand by it.Asked whether he feared political retaliation from Trump, Hurd replied: I do the right thing, and what the consequences are, well have to see.Newhouse, who is retiring at the end of his term, said his vote reflected Washington states deep trade ties with Canada. He pointed to rising costs for fertilizer, equipment and other agricultural inputs.Absolutely, he said when asked whether the tariffs have hurt his state.Bacon, also retiring, framed his vote as both an economic and constitutional issue. A longtime advocate of free trade, he argued that Congress not the White House should hold primary authority over tariffs. He needs to know that were not a rubber stamp, Bacon said, adding that other Republicans privately share his concerns but are reluctant to publicly oppose the president. Earlier in the day, Bacon suggested as many as 30 Republicans might back the measure. But as pressure from GOP leadership and the White House intensified, only six ultimately crossed party lines. The post Six House Republicans defy Trump to repeal his tariffs on Canada appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
