The Democrat-led resolution, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday, would nullify the ‘national emergency’ on fentanyl that Trump is using to implement tariffs on Canada
The Democrat-led resolution, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday, would nullify the ‘national emergency’ on fentanyl that Trump is using to implement tariffs on Canada
The Democrat-led resolution, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday, would nullify the ‘national emergency’ on fentanyl that Trump is using to implement tariffs on Canada
Senate Republicans faced pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to oppose a Democratic resolution that would nullify the presidential emergency on fentanyl he is using to implement tariffs on Canada.
But shortly after Trump announced his plan for “reciprocal tariffs” on a host of countries — not including Canada and Mexico — the Senate resolution passed by a 51-48 vote, with four Republicans and all Democrats supporting the opportunity to upset the plan to impose tariffs on Canada.
This could be construed to be a significant test for Republican loyalty to Trump’s vision of remaking the U.S. economy by backing away from free trade.
Earlier, Trump labelled four GOP senators — Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) — as “disloyal” for considering support for the resolution.
A former Senate Majority Leader, McConnell’s break with his party is seen as a significant twist in the tariff drama.
In a social media post just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, Trump singled out the four senators, saying they “will hopefully get on the Republican bandwagon, for a change, and fight the Democrats wild and flagrant push to not penalize Canada for the sale, into our Country, of large amounts of Fentanyl.”
All four of those Republicans voted in favour of the resolution on Wednesday night.
To justify the tariffs, Trump has argued that Canada is not doing enough to stop illegal drugs from entering the U.S. But American border security seized just 43 pounds of fentanyl coming from Canada during the 2024 fiscal year. And since January, authorities have seized less than 1.5 pounds, according to federal data. Meanwhile, at the southern border, authorities seized over 21,000 pounds last year.
Senator Tim Kaine, the Virginia Democrat who initiated the resolution, said at a news conference on Tuesday that Trump was inventing a “made-up emergency” to support tariffs aimed at helping pay for tax cuts, which he argued would primarily benefit the wealthy.
“How are they going to pay for it? Massive cuts in programs like Medicaid and Medicare, and tariffs imposed on the backs of everyday Americans,” Kaine said.
Democrats have highlighted how the tariffs on Canada could make it more expensive to build homes, disrupt industries like shipbuilding and beer brewing, and raise prices on imported grocery products.
In a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Collins said she will support the resolution and noted, “The fact is the vast majority of fentanyl in America comes from the southern border.” Collins also pointed out that Canada has already beefed up border security to address drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, she is concerned what tariffs could do to businesses and households in Maine. She referred to a paper mill in her home state that pumps paper pulp from Canada.
Paul, a co-sponsor of the resolution, criticized the tariffs for negatively impacting industries in Kentucky, such as bourbon and automobile manufacturing.
Other Republican senators such as Chuck Grassley voiced unease about the economic consequences of the tariffs but was undecided on whether to oppose Trump.
North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer said that he has been in constant talks with both Canadian officials and businesses in his state. But he did not plan on supporting the resolution, hoping instead that the Wednesday announcement will be a starting point for negotiations.
Republican leader Senator John Thune urged his colleagues to reject the resolution. He argued that overturning Trump’s emergency declaration could weaken his negotiating position and set a precedent for challenging executive authority.
Although Kaine’s resolution passed in the Senate, there is a significant legislative hump to overcome. It must also be passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which is highly unlikely. Still, it could be seen as a significant reproach of Trump’s trade policies and spotlight GOP divisions over America-first protectionism.
— With additional reporting from The Associated Press
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