WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a strategic legislative maneuver, House Republicans quietly blocked Democrats from forcing a vote on former President Donald Trump’s tariffs, shielding the controversial trade policies from scrutiny until 2026.
The move, tucked into a government funding bill, prevents Democrats from initiating debate on Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—tariffs that have rattled markets and heightened diplomatic tensions.
Republicans Shield Trump’s Trade Agenda
Had a vote been forced, it could have required Republicans to take a public stance on Trump’s trade policies—potentially dividing the party. Instead, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s funding bill, which passed Tuesday, included a provision blocking a vote to terminate Trump’s tariffs until at least January 2026.
“Guess what they tucked into this rule, hoping nobody would notice?” said Rep. Jim McGovern, the ranking member on the House Rules Committee. “They slipped in a little clause letting them escape ever having to debate or vote on Trump’s tariffs. Isn’t that clever?”
How Did Republicans Block the Vote?
Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China by declaring illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the National Emergencies Act (NEA).
Under the NEA, Congress technically has the power to terminate a national emergency. Last week, top House Democrats attempted to do just that. However, Republicans preemptively blocked the move by including language in the funding bill’s procedural rule.
The section reads:
“Each day for the remainder of the first session of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025.”
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In simple terms: Congress cannot override Trump’s emergency declaration—and the tariffs that came with it—until at least 2026.
Democrats Condemn the Move
House Democrats immediately criticized the Republican maneuver.
Rep. Don Beyer called the move “tragic,” telling media that Democrats have no real way around it.
“Once again, Trump has ignored existing law and the Constitution with all the tariffs he’s been announcing in recent weeks,” Beyer said. “He inherited on Jan. 20 the strongest economy this country has ever had. And we are rapidly heading towards recession right now just because of the extraordinary uncertainty in business decisions and capital investment and hiring decisions.”
Can Congress Still End Trump’s Tariffs?
In theory, Congress could still pass a joint resolution to terminate the emergency declaration, which would also end the tariffs. However, such a move would require the support of both rank-and-file Republicans and House GOP leadership—an unlikely scenario given Trump’s influence over the party.
For now, Trump’s tariffs remain in place, Congress is blocked from acting, and the battle over trade policy continues.
