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

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

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 all House Democrats in opposing the measure.

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

“I have to respond to Article I,” Bacon told reporters as he left the Capitol after the vote, referring to Congress’s statutory authority to approve tariffs imposed by the president.

The failed vote came after House Republican leaders opted to delay the proceeding, originally scheduled for early Tuesday afternoon, by seven hours in order to continue building support for the rule. Given the current 217-213 Republican majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson could afford to lose just one defection, provided all members are present and voting. (RELATED: Majority of Americans say Trump’s tariffs hurt economy, poll finds)

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

Massie, a staunch opponent of tariffs who faces a major challenge backed by Trump, immediately voted “no” on the measure.

“The law requires Congress to allow a vote on presidential emergencies within 15 days of their declaration,” the Kentucky Republican wrote on

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) (center), accompanied by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), speaks during a press conference following a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the U.S. Capitol on February 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Some Republican lawmakers have become frustrated that House Republican leaders have repeatedly blocked rank-and-file members from forcing votes on resolutions eliminating Trump’s tariffs. The House previously voted 216-214 in March 2025 to bar lawmakers from introducing legislation that would reverse the president’s tariffs.

This procedural measure expired on January 31, giving Democrats the opportunity to end the president’s emergency powers that underpin his tariffs. New York Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks vowed to force a vote on Wednesday on a resolution revoking Trump’s tariffs on Canada, without efforts from Republican Party leaders to block it.

The measure would likely pass the Senate because of an earlier version that cleared the chamber with four GOP “yes” votes in October. However, any resolution rolling back Trump’s tariffs that reaches his desk is expected to be vetoed immediately.

House Republican leaders argued Tuesday that members should oppose the rule, citing the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the president’s tariff plan in the coming months.

“The reason this extension is being extended until July is to allow the Supreme Court to rule on the case at hand,” President Johnson told reporters. “This process is ongoing. I think it makes sense to allow this to continue.”

Johnson also praised the president’s trade agenda, saying it is of “great benefit to the country.”

A Marist survey released Feb. 5 found that 56 percent of Americans believe tariffs are harmful to the U.S. economy.

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