Senate resolution to scrap Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs fails despite some GOP support

A Senate vote to scrap President Trump's wide-ranging "Liberation Day" tariffs narrowly failed on Wednesday, sparing Republicans a second consecutive blow as the president’s trade policy continues to face opposition. 

Three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Rand Paul (Ky.) — voted in favor of the resolution alongside every present Senate Democrat. 

But Democrats ran into attendance problems. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) was absent, along with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who had voted in favor of a similar bill reversing tariffs on Canada earlier this month.

The final tally was 49-49.

McConnell and Whitehouse had both missed the two votes earlier in the day. One Senate GOP member told The Hill that McConnell was sick and unable to vote. 

"The Senator has been consistent in opposing tariffs and that a trade war is not in the best interest of American households and businesses. He believes that tariffs are a tax increase on everybody," David Popp, a McConnell spokesperson, said in a statement 

Whitehouse was reportedly traveling from South Korea. 

The vote was held open longer than normal amid questions about next steps. The chamber immediately proceeded to a vote that would block off the resolution from coming to the floor once again.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Paul were the lead sponsors of the resolution.

The measure is nonbinding and would have been dead on arrival in the House. Still, the White House sought to avoid a repeat of what had happened earlier in the month. It vowed to veto the measure as Trump tries to navigate the tricky waters of potential trade deals with scores of countries.

Those trade talks have not quelled concerns among some Republicans. Paul argued that the White House is overstepping its bounds with its emergency declaration to impose the tariffs and has maintained that Congress should have that power. 

“Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple. Tariffs don’t punish foreign governments, they punish American families,” Paul said in a floor speech ahead of the vote. “When we tax imports, we raise the price of everything, from groceries, to smartphones to washing machines to just about every conceivable product.” 

“Does it make any sense to impose a tax on imports that will make all Americans worse off?” he continued, pointing to the idea that the high cost of living and goods helped Republicans win the 2024 elections. “Shouldn’t we learn from our success?”

Senate GOP leaders urged Republicans to vote against the bill, arguing it was focused much more on China rather than Canada. 

That did not push any of the GOP supporters to flip their votes, however.

“I think [the resolution is] too broad,” Collins said ahead of the vote. “But it sends the message that I want to send that … we really need to be far more discriminatory in imposing these tariffs and not treat allies like Canada the way we treat adversaries like China.”

Wednesday also marked Trump's 100th day in office, and Democrats have used the occasion to hit the president on his policies, with tariffs as a centerpiece of their argument.

“His tariff strategy: Total failure,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the floor early on Wednesday. “China’s not coming to the table. … There’s no strategy, only chaos.“

“Senate Republicans know deep down that Donald Trump’s tariff policies are awful for their states,” he continued, adding that Republicans had a choice — to ”stick with Trump, or stand with your states.”

Senate Republican leaders had dismissed the importance of Wednesday's vote.

“I think the broad majorities of Republicans are giving the administration … some space to figure out if they can get some good deals. We’re awaiting the results of that,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters before the vote. “I wouldn’t attach too much weight to it.” 

The Trump administration has touted ongoing discussions with many of the countries targeted by the “Liberation Day” levies, but many Republicans have fretted about the impact the tariffs are having on their constituents.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer appeared on Capitol Hill to brief Senate Republicans on the state of talks and attempt to quell their concerns.

Greer indicated that talks are progressing with numerous countries and that deals could be revealed in the coming weeks, according to multiple Republican lawmakers.

“It doesn’t sound like any deals are made yet, but it sounds like they’re feeling as though they’re getting close,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) added, noting that those deals still must get a thumbs-up from Trump himself. 

Multiple Senate GOP lawmakers also said there were constant calls throughout the meeting urging Greer and the administration not to wait until the summer to roll out any deals and to instead unveil them as they happen. They cited anxiety among the public as the reason. 

“Let’s not wait and try to do a grand, total announcement later,” Rounds said, describing the mood of members. “If you’re making progress, why don’t you, perhaps, start announcing those deals as they’re being made?”