The Republican-controlled House delivered a narrow vote Wednesday to overturn President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, underscoring the challenges that come with governing under one of the slimmest majorities in modern history.
The measure passed 219-211 after six Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Kevin Kiley of California, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Dan Newhouse of Washington, and Jeff Hurd of Colorado voted in favor of the resolution.
The effort was led by Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York and is largely viewed as a symbolic rebuke of Trump’s broader trade policies. Even so, the vote highlights the growing consequences of the GOP’s shrinking edge in the House.
The anti-tariff resolution first advanced 217-214 thanks to unified Democratic support and the votes of three Republicans: Massie, Kiley, and Bacon. On Tuesday, Democrats and those same three Republicans approved a procedural move clearing the way for the measure by defeating a rule that would have blocked members from offering resolutions rejecting Trump’s tariffs.
Shortly before Wednesday’s vote, Trump made his position unmistakably clear on Truth Social. “Canada has taken advantage of the United States on Trade for many years,” the president wrote. “They are among the worst in the World to deal with, especially as it relates to our Northern Border. TARIFFS make a WIN for us, EASY. Republicans must keep it that way!”
Despite the House vote, the resolution faces steep odds. It now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, and even if it were to pass there, it would require Trump’s signature — the very president whose trade policy it seeks to dismantle.
Still, the vote consumed valuable floor time that could have been devoted to advancing key parts of Trump’s agenda. Rep. Bacon acknowledged that concern while defending his decision to support the measure.
“I don’t like putting the important work of the House on pause, but Congress needs to be able to debate on tariffs,” Bacon said. He argued that tariffs have been a “net negative” for the economy and described them as a significant tax paid by American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers. Citing Article I of the Constitution, Bacon maintained that authority over taxes and tariffs rests with Congress and said lawmakers have handed too much power to the executive branch.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been tasked with holding together the narrow GOP majority, sharply criticized the vote.
“I don’t think we need to go down the road of trying to limit the president’s power while he is in the midst of negotiating America-first trade agreements with nations around the world,” Johnson told Fox Business. He added that tariffs have been used effectively to level the playing field and put America back on top, and said it was wrong for Congress to step in during ongoing negotiations.
Johnson’s job has only grown tougher. What began as a 220-215 Republican majority at the start of the term has dwindled to 218-214 following the resignation of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the death of California Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and Democrat Christian Menefee’s victory in a Texas special election. Florida Rep. Neal Dunn is reportedly planning to announce his immediate resignation next week, which would further shrink the GOP’s margin to just three seats.
As Republicans grapple with economic messaging ahead of tightly contested midterms, Trump’s tariffs are also facing scrutiny at the Supreme Court, which could issue a ruling as early as this month.
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