The United States House of Representatives has voted to advance a bill aimed at rolling back President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, marking a rare moment of defiance from Republicans against their party’s leader.
In a closely contested vote on Wednesday, several Republicans crossed party lines to support a Democratic-sponsored resolution that would end Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on Canada. The measure passed 219–211, despite the Republican Party holding a slim 218-seat majority in the chamber.
The bill was authored by Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, who framed the vote as a choice between loyalty to voters and allegiance to the former president.
“Today’s vote is simple, very simple,” Meeks said on the House floor. “Will you vote to lower the cost of living for the American family, or will you keep prices high out of loyalty to one person, Donald J. Trump?”
The vote comes as the United States enters a pivotal midterm election season, with primaries beginning in March and the general election scheduled for November. All 435 members of the House will be on the ballot, intensifying pressure on lawmakers facing uneasy choices between Trump’s policies and voter sentiment.
With Trump’s approval ratings slipping, some Republicans have been weighing whether to distance themselves from his less popular initiatives or remain firmly aligned despite potential backlash at the polls.
Ahead of the vote, Trump warned Republicans against supporting the measure, threatening political consequences.
“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries,” Trump wrote on social media.
He also accused Canada—one of America’s closest allies and largest trading partners—of exploiting the United States.
“Canada has taken advantage of the United States on Trade for many years,” Trump said in another post. “They are among the worst in the World to deal with… TARIFFS make a WIN for us, EASY. Republicans must keep it that way!”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where similar legislation had already passed in April and again in October last year. While it is expected to clear the upper chamber once more, the measure faces a likely presidential veto.
To override such a veto, Congress would need a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate—far more support than Wednesday’s vote produced.
Despite that hurdle, public opinion appears to be turning against Trump’s tariff policy. A Pew Research Center survey released on February 4 found that 60 percent of Americans disapprove of increasing tariffs, while only 37 percent support them. Many voters blame the tariffs for higher prices on a range of consumer goods.
Democrats hope growing dissatisfaction over tariffs, alongside anger over Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement raids, will help them reclaim majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is weighing the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariff powers after lower courts ruled against aspects of his approach.
Before Wednesday’s vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson had urged Republicans to hold off until the high court delivered its judgment. But six Republicans—including Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Don Bacon of Nebraska and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania—defied party leadership to bring the measure to the floor.
“Why doesn’t the Congress stand on its own two feet and say that we’re an independent branch?” Representative Don Bacon asked. “We should defend our authorities. I hope the Supreme Court does, but if we don’t do it, shame on us.”
