The U.S. Senate failed to pass a Democrat-led resolution that sought to block President Donald Trump’s tariffs, even after Republican senators crossed the aisle during the vote.
The resolution was shot down after Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.
Three Republicans sided with 46 Democrats in favor of passing the resolution.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Rand Paul (R-KY) all bucked their party during the vote.
The remaining 49 Republicans voted against it, resulting in a 49-49 tie that Vance broke.
Murkowski and Paul argued that Trump did not have the constitutional authority to impose these tariffs.
Both senators have defied Trump and the GOP in the past.
In a statement, Murkowski said:
“Bilateral trade deficits do not constitute a national emergency, nor do they qualify as an ‘unusual and extraordinary’ circumstance needed to unlock authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
“We have a lot more work to do to reclaim Congress’s constitutional power over tariffs, but this resolution is a step in the right direction.”
Today, I voted in support of SJR 49, which would terminate the President’s national emergency declaration regarding our trade deficits with countries around the world. Bilateral trade deficits do not constitute a national emergency, nor do they qualify as an “unusual and…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) May 1, 2025
In a separate statement, Paul said:
“The Constitution clearly states that Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse.
“All new taxes (which is what a tariff is) are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives before going to the Senate for approval.”
The Constitution clearly states that Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse. All new taxes (which is what a tariff is) are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives before going to the Senate for approval.https://t.co/TyrmT7kYcE
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 30, 2025
In recent weeks, Trump’s ongoing global trade war has been a focal point for his critics.
From the beginning, Trump has assessed that the strategy requires a certain amount of inevitable short-term pain for long-term gain.
With market uncertainty and ongoing trade negotiations, the GDP experienced a contraction in the first quarter, as expected.
Although the latest GDP report may have some warning signs on its face, former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Richard Clarida argued that the figures were distorted by tariffs.
The Trump administration pointed to several positive economic indicators in the report.
In a statement Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
“It’s no surprise the leftovers of Biden’s economic disaster have been a drag on economic growth, but the underlying numbers tell the real story of the strong momentum President Trump is delivering.
“Robust core GDP, the highest gross domestic investment in four years, job growth, and trillions of dollars in new investments secured by President Trump are fueling an economic boom and setting the stage for unprecedented growth as President Trump ushers in the new golden age,” Leavitt said.
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