Democrats aim to pressure Republicans into deciding between supporting Trump or alleviating the impact of tariffs
Challenging Times: Democrats and Republicans Square Off Over Tariffs to Save a Global Economy on the Brink
It's a high-stakes game of politics as Congressional Democrats step up the pressure on their Republican counterparts to speak out against President Donald Trump's economic policies. With whispers of a looming global recession in the air, the Democrats aim to make their GOP colleagues decide: side with the president or their constituents, who face the possibility of increased costs due to Tariff Trump’s economic policy.
This battle begins just days before the implementation of Trump's huge reciprocal tariffs. New York Rep. Gregory Meeks has taken the initiative with a procedural move that could force a vote to halt these tariffs that threaten American consumers with higher prices on basics from groceries to gasoline.
The senior Democrat's resolution, expected to be fast-tracked due to its "privileged" status, aims to terminate the tariffs recently announced by the White House. Simultaneously, Senate Democrats are lining up to challenge these tariffs upon their return from recess, with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul expected to join them in this measure.
The Democrats want to use this opportunity to put their Republican peers under the spotlight, compelling them to publicly declare whether they will stand by Trump or attempt to shield their constituents from price hikes. As Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York puts it, "The American people are already expressing their discontent, and they're anxious and worried about what Trump is doing, in addition to fretting over how high these tariffs will skyrocket in terms of cost."
The Democratic Party is focusing on addressing concerns over tariffs and Medicaid cuts while in their home districts during the upcoming congressional recess. While these efforts are unlikely to pass, given the White House's warning of an override, it marks the latest Democratic effort to counter Trump's policies.
Congressional Check: Republican Senators Join the Fray
Last week, Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state introduced a bill that would force presidents to justify new tariffs to Congress and secure their approval. Seven Republicans, including Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have signed onto the measure. However, the White House has already promised a veto.
Grassley and Tillis are among a group of GOP senators arguing that Congress should hold the administration accountable for its tariff policies. Tillis, up for re-election next year, says he's mostly hearing concerns from businesses regarding the "cost of inputs." He acknowledges that the public's reaction is slowly trickling in now, with implementation delays before tariff increases become apparent.
Other prominent Republicans, such as Sens. John Cornyn and Ron Johnson, express concerns about these tariffs' short-term economic disruption. But they are hopeful negotiations will eventually lead to Trump's global tariff policy being rolled back. Meanwhile, some Republicans, like Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, take a wait-and-see approach, waiting to see whether constituents will continue to support Trump's aggressive trade policy in the event of higher prices.
Bracing for Impact: Global Woes and Consumer Worries
Despite tepid GOP support and the threat of a presidential veto, the Democratic push to check Trump's tariffs highlights growing concerns among both parties about the potential impact on the global economy and consumers. Economists raise red flags about increasing consumer prices and economic instability, as well as retaliatory measures from other countries. Financial markets have already shown signs of volatility in response to Trump's tariff announcements, demonstrating investors' worries about potential trade wars.
CNN's Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer and Casey Riddle contributed to this report.
Key Insights
- Democrats are pushing for a vote to block President Trump's tariffs, particularly those on Canadian goods, arguing that the tariffs will harm American families and impact prices.
- The GOP-controlled House is unlikely to support such a resolution, limiting its immediate impact.
- A bipartisan bill is being drafted to give Congress more control over tariffs, indicating growing unease among some Republicans about Trump's trade policies.
- Economists warn that these tariffs may lead to higher consumer prices, economic instability, and potential retaliation from other countries.
- Financial markets have shown volatility in response to Trump's tariff announcements, highlighting investors' concerns about potential trade wars.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, voiced concerns about the impact of President Trump's tariffs, stating that the American people are expressing their discontent and worry about the potential increase in costs.
- Seven Republican senators, including Chuck Grassley and Thom Tillis, have signed onto a bill introduced by Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell that would force presidents to justify new tariffs to Congress and secure their approval, indicating a growing unease among some Republicans about Trump's trade policies.
- The Democrats' resolution aims to terminate the tariffs announced by the White House, with the hope that congressional pressure and growing concerns among both parties about the potential impact on the global economy and consumers might compel some Republican senators to align against Trump's tariff policies.
