3 Republicans Defy Trump, Side With Democrats On President’s Tariffs

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to clear a procedural rule Tuesday evening that would prevent any lawmaker from forcing a vote on terminating President Donald Trump’s tariffs for the majority of 2026.

Lawmakers voted 214-217 to approve the rule, falling short of a simple majority. Tariff-skeptical Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Kevin Kiley of California and Don Bacon of Nebraska joined every House Democrat in opposition to the measure.

Two Republicans did not vote. Republican North Carolina Rep. Greg Murphy, who underwent surgery in December after being diagnosed with a benign tumor in his skull, has not voted the entire week.

“I have to answer to Article I,” Bacon told reporters while exiting the Capitol after voting, referring to Congress’s statutory authority to approve tariffs levied by the president.

The failed vote came after House GOP leaders chose to delay the proceeding, initially slated for early Tuesday afternoon, for seven hours to keep whipping support for the rule. Given Republicans’ current 218-214 majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson could afford to lose just one defection assuming all members are present and voting.

The procedural rule would specifically block House lawmakers from triggering votes on cancelling Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Brazil until the beginning of August. The House is expected to be out of session that month and October to allow lawmakers to campaign in their districts ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Massie, a fierce opponent of tariffs who is facing a primary challenge backed by Trump, immediately voted “no” on the measure.

“The law requires Congress to permit a vote on Presidential emergencies within 15 days of being declared,” the Kentucky Republican wrote