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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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A narrowly divided House rejected a bid by Republican leaders to block legislative challenges to President Donald Trump's tariffs, after three Republicans broke ranks to vote with Democrats.
Representatives Thomas Massie, Don Bacon, and Kevin Kiley joined Democrats to reject a procedural measure that included language blocking votes on objections to Trump’s tariffs through July 31 in a 217-214 vote, clearing the way for Democrats to push for votes aimed at repealing the tariffs.
Newsweek has contacted representatives for Massie, Bacon and Kiley for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
The Constitution gives Congress the power to impose tariffs, but Trump acted without congressional approval last year by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping tariffs on imports. The Supreme Court heard arguments about the tariffs’ legality in November, but has yet to issue a decision.
Republican leaders had tried to adopt the measure as Trump continues to threaten new tariffs and ahead of consequential midterm elections this year, when control of Congress is at stake.
Trump has championed his economic policies, but Democrats say the duties have driven up inflation and are raising the cost of living for Americans. Sweeping taxes on imports cost the average American household almost $1,200 between February and November last year, according to Democrats on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee.
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found a majority of Americans—60 percent—disapprove of Trump’s tariff policies, while 37 percent say they approve. Most Republicans (71 percent) say they approve of the policies, but 28 percent said they disapprove.
Full List of Republicans Who Voted Against Trump on Tariffs
Thomas Massie
Massie, who has become an outlier in the Republican Party and a frequent critic of Trump, wrote on X that his goal “is to defend the Constitution and to represent the people.”
The Kentucky Republican added: “Taxing authority is vested in the House of Representatives, not the Executive. The vote tonight was to subvert the Constitution and the 1976 National Emergencies Act by literally saying a day is not a day.”
Don Bacon
Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, said on X that he doesn’t like “putting the important work of the House on pause, but Congress needs to be able to debate on tariffs.”
He said that tariffs have been “a ‘net negative’ for the economy and are a significant tax that American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers are paying.”
Bacon also said that Article I of the Constitution “places authority over taxes and tariffs with Congress for a reason, but for too long, we have handed that authority to the executive branch. It’s time for Congress to reclaim that responsibility.”
Kevin Kiley
Kiley criticized GOP leaders for trying to “take control away” from House lawmakers.
According to MS Now, the California representative said he doesn’t oppose the tariffs, but does not agree with restricting Congress’ authority to overturn them.
“The rule is to bring bills to the floor and set the parameters for debate. The purpose is not to sneak in unrelated language that expands the power of leadership at the expense of our members.”
What People Are Saying
Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to delay any votes until the Supreme Court rules in a pending case on the president’s tariff powers.
Johnson said: “The rationale for this, for just extending this for a little bit longer to July, is to allow the Supreme Court to rule on the pending case that everybody’s watching and waiting for. That process has been playing out. I think it’s logical to allow that to continue.”
California Republican Representative Tom McClintock wroteon X: “I remain a tariff skeptic. I believe that free trade is the surest path to a nation’s prosperity. But with the Supreme Court expected to rule by summer on the constitutionality of delegating tariff authority to the President, I think it would be unwise to alter the status quo until we know the full scope and implications of the decision, at which time Congress can address the matter fully.”
Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during a floor debate on Tuesday: “My resolutions ending President Trump’s harmful tariffs on Canada and Mexico are due for a vote this week. But the Republicans couldn’t let that stand. They’re trying to change the rules again and again and again and again. To do what? To avoid voting on ending Trump’s tariffs.”
What Happens Next
Democrats reportedly hope to force a House vote as soon as Wednesday on a resolution authored by Meeks to repeal Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear when exactly the Supreme Court could issue a decision on the legality of Trump’s use of emergency tariff powers.
Update, 02/11/2026, 8:01 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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