Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen
The four Republican senators who backed a privileged joint resolution opposing President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports—just hours after his “Liberation Day” event—could have handled their dissent more strategically.
Senators Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski broke ranks with their party, joining Democrats in voting for a resolution to repeal the emergency declaration that allowed Trump to impose tariffs on Canada, citing the flow of deadly fentanyl across the border.
Introduced by Senator Tim Kaine, the measure passed the Senate in a 51-48 vote.
If the GOP-controlled House approves it, the White House has stated that Trump’s advisors would recommend a veto.
Should Trump veto the resolution, Congress retains the option to override it with a two-thirds majority in both chambers—a highly improbable outcome given Republican control of the House and Senate.
In fact, the resolution is unlikely to even clear the House.
Nonetheless, its Senate passage handed Democrats a minor victory and a potential attack line ahead of the midterms.
Trump has long championed tariffs on Canada, repeatedly meeting with Republican senators and voicing confidence in their support for his administration’s efforts to secure fair trade for the U.S.
If these senators intended to challenge Trump’s tariff policy, they could have engaged in discussions prior to the Senate vote.
Instead, they chose to blindsight Trump and their party with a move that ultimately benefits the Democrats intent on undercutting Trump’s agenda.
In effect, they hung an albatross around Trump’s neck.
