Senate Republicans Weigh Overruling Trump on Mexico Tariffs
By Erik Wasson and Daniel Flatley
Congressional Republicans, worried about the possible economic fallout from President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a tariff on Mexico, have discussed taking legislative action to head off his plan, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday night.
GOP lawmakers are considering whether to revive a resolution of disapproval over the national emergency declaration that underpins Trump’s justification for the tariffs, according to the person, who asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive deliberations. The action would also stop the president from spending billions on a border wall without congressional approval.
Congress earlier this year passed a similar resolution, but the House didn’t have enough votes to override a presidential veto.
The political calculation for Republicans considering a resolution to rebuke their own president could be different this time, as they fear the economic impact of a 5% tariff on all imports from Mexico starting on June 10 unless that country’s government curbs illegal migration to the U.S. The tariff could rise to as high as 25% by October unless Mexico takes sufficient action, as judged by the Trump administration.
The discussions occurred as top GOP Senators warned the administration that Congress could reclaim its tariff powers or hold up a new North American free trade deal if the White House carries out its threat to impose the levies. It would take a critical mass of congressional Republicans publicly supporting this legislative rebellion to convince Trump to reverse course before the tariffs are set to being next week.
Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, suggested he won’t begin consideration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement if the Mexico tariffs are put in place. Grassley used a similar threat to convince the White House to drop tariffs on steel and aluminum from Mexico and Canada earlier this year.
“It’s the same trouble that we had with the aluminum and steel tariffs. They have to come off before we can take it up here” he said of the USMCA.
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Posted By: Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
Tuesday, June 4th 2019 at 9:43AM
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