Three Republican Senators Join Democrats in Criticizing US President’s Trade Policy Through Senate Resolution
Government statistics revealing that the US economy experienced a decline for the first time in three years preceded the Senate’s 49-49 vote against the resolution on Wednesday.
In a rare show of dissent from within Trump’s own party, three Republican senators – Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – alongside all attending Democratic and Independent lawmakers, voted in favor of the measure.
Before the vote, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon emphasized, “The United States Senate cannot stand idly by amidst this tariff frenzy.”
Wyden added, “Congress holds the power to determine tariffs and to regulate international trade.”
Despite being largely symbolic – since it was unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives or to overcome Trump’s veto – the resolution was viewed as an important statement.
Senator Rand Paul, who co-sponsored the resolution, explained that the debate remains crucial; should significant tariffs be implemented and the stock market experiences a major downturn without positive growth in the first and second quarters, scrutiny of the policy’s effectiveness would increase.
Trump has dismissed concerns that his extensive tariffs, including a hefty 145 percent duty on China, might push the US into recession.
On Wednesday, the US Department of Commerce reported the economy had contracted by 0.3 percent during the first quarter of the year – before Trump implemented his most substantial tariffs.
A recession is usually defined by two consecutive quarters of economic decline.
