A Senate push to block President Donald Trump’s sweeping 10% baseline tariffs ended in a 49-49 stalemate on Wednesday, preserving the administration’s trade policy despite growing unease over its economic fallout. The resolution, spearheaded by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY), sought to nullify the national emergency declaration Trump invoked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the tariffs in April. The tie, exacerbated by the absence of key senators and the lack of a tiebreaking vote, handed Trump a narrow victory as his trade agenda continues to stir debate.
The vote came on the heels of a Commerce Department report revealing a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy from January to March, the first decline in three years, attributed largely to trade disruptions. Trump’s tariffs, initially applied to nearly all U.S. trading partners, sparked market volatility, prompting the administration to suspend higher country-specific tariffs for 90 days, except for China, where tariffs on goods have surged to 145%. The baseline 10% tariff remains in place, fueling concerns among lawmakers, businesses, and consumers.
Senators Wyden and Paul rallied bipartisan support, with Republicans Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Paul joining Democrats to oppose the tariffs. However, the absence of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) derailed the effort. McConnell, a vocal critic of tariffs, missed the vote due to scheduling conflicts, while Whitehouse was attending a conference in South Korea. A spokesperson for McConnell reiterated his stance that tariffs act as a tax hike on American households and businesses, underscoring the private reservations some Republicans harbor.
“The Senate cannot sit idly by as these tariffs threaten our economy,” Wyden declared, emphasizing the resolution’s aim to reassert congressional authority over trade policy. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the economic downturn a “wake-up call,” warning that Trump’s policies risk pushing the nation toward recession. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) labeled the emergency declaration a “sham,” accusing Trump of using it to enact erratic, damaging trade measures.
Despite the defeat, the close vote exposed fissures within the Republican ranks. Senator Collins noted that the near tie reflects “significant unease” among lawmakers, driven by constituent concerns over rising costs and market instability. Farmers, particularly in rural states, have voiced fears about retaliatory trade measures, though some Republicans, like Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), remain optimistic. Hoeven pointed to ongoing trade negotiations with 17 countries, including advanced talks with India, as potential buffers against economic strain.
On the other side, GOP leaders rallied to protect Trump’s agenda. Vice President JD Vance made a rare Capitol appearance to break a procedural tie, ensuring the resolution could not be revived. Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) defended the tariffs, arguing that Trump deserves time to prove his strategy’s merits. “Senators are willing to see if the president’s approach delivers results,” Cornyn said. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, addressing Senate Republicans, highlighted progress toward bilateral trade deals to mitigate the tariffs’ impact.
Critics, however, remain skeptical. Senator Rand Paul acknowledged that while many Republicans privately favor free trade, they hesitate to challenge Trump publicly. He suggested that another quarter of economic decline or market turbulence could shift the tide. “This vote was about starting the conversation,” Paul said. “If the economy takes another hit, you’ll hear louder voices against these policies.”
Trump, undeterred, downplayed the tariffs’ downsides, claiming they have weakened competitors like China while suggesting American consumers could adjust to higher prices. “Maybe kids get two dolls instead of 30,” he remarked at a Cabinet meeting, asserting that the U.S. can thrive with reduced reliance on imports.
The resolution’s failure, while symbolic due to a likely House block and Trump’s veto threat, underscores the Senate’s struggle to curb the president’s unilateral trade powers. As economic indicators signal challenges, the debate over Trump’s tariffs remains unresolved, with lawmakers and voters preparing for the next steps in his trade strategy.
