Senate Republicans are preparing for a potential defeat as a bipartisan bill aiming to undo President Trump’s 25-percent tariff on Canada gains momentum. The bill, if passed, would deliver a major setback to Trump’s ongoing trade war, particularly on what he had dubbed “Liberation Day,” the day he planned to announce new tariffs.
Several Republicans, including Senators Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (Ky.), have signaled they are likely to vote in favor of the resolution, which has been introduced by Senate Democrats. Their support could tip the balance, even with the GOP’s narrow majority in the Senate.
Rand Paul, a co-sponsor of the measure, has been vocal in criticizing the tariff, calling it harmful to the economy and a bypass of Congress’s constitutional role in setting taxes.
“Trade is good for prosperity, and tariffs are bad,” Paul said. “It’s wrong for a country to make emergency decisions without involving elected officials who are supposed to vote on taxes.”
Paul emphasized that the Constitution specifically gives the power to raise taxes—tariffs included—to Congress, not the president alone. “What kind of system would we have if all taxes and laws were passed by one person?” he asked.
Trump, citing the threat of fentanyl crossing the northern border, has used his executive power under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the 25-percent tariff. However, his justification is being heavily scrutinized.
Senator Collins, who represents Maine, warned that the tariffs are detrimental to her state’s economy, which is closely tied to Canada. “Maine relies on trade with Canada for everything from heating oil to paper products,” she said. “The tariffs would hurt our local businesses and families.”
McConnell echoed Collins’ concerns, stating that he believes tariffs are damaging. He pointed out that Kentucky-made bourbon has already been removed from Canadian shelves in response to the tariffs, costing local businesses.
“Our farmers depend on trade, and a prolonged trade war would hurt them,” McConnell said.
If the four Republicans join the Democrats in voting for the resolution, the bill could pass the Senate despite the GOP holding a 53-47 majority. However, while the resolution doesn’t carry the force of law and won’t reach a vote in the House, its passage would send a clear message of opposition to Trump’s tariff policies.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), the lead sponsor of the bill, expressed confidence that it would pass. “We’re united on this, and I think we may even get more Republicans on board,” he said. Kaine expects the vote to happen sometime between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The resolution’s passage would be a blow to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who has been urging his colleagues to oppose the measure. Thune plans to argue that ending the tariff would be detrimental to efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis.
“We can’t solve the fentanyl crisis by targeting just part of the problem,” Thune said. “Ending this emergency declaration would send the wrong message to drug cartels and would open up new opportunities for fentanyl to enter the U.S. from Canada.”
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) also defended the tariff, claiming it is vital for U.S.-Canada border security. He accused Democrats of undermining Trump’s efforts to protect the country. “Democrats want to ignore the threats from Canada, including fentanyl and people on the terrorist watchlist,” Barrasso said. “Senator Kaine is just trying to weaken President Trump’s message.”
Although the resolution may pass in the Senate, it’s unlikely to go any further. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has already stated that he will not bring the bill up for a vote in the House, making it clear that the effort will not reach Trump’s desk.
Trump, meanwhile, took to Truth Social to target the four Republicans who are likely to support the bill. He urged them to reconsider, stressing the importance of maintaining the tariff to curb the flow of fentanyl into the country.
Despite these efforts, Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) dismissed the resolution, saying that even if it passes in the Senate, it won’t go anywhere in the House. “It’s not going to reach the president’s desk,” he said, suggesting the issue will likely fizzle out after the Senate vote.
As the GOP braces for what could be a significant blow to Trump’s trade agenda, the party faces a growing divide over how to handle the tariff dispute with Canada. The outcome of this vote could shape the direction of U.S.-Canada trade relations and impact the future of Trump’s tariff policies.
