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In a rare challenge to former President Donald Trump, six House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a measure aimed at repealing his tariffs on Canada—one of the cornerstones of his second-term economic agenda.
The vote, which GOP leaders had tried to prevent, highlights growing unease within Republican ranks over Trump’s aggressive trade policies. While Trump still holds strong influence in the party, the defections signal cracks in support, especially as some lawmakers face pressure from constituents affected by the tariffs.
The Republicans who sided with Democrats were Reps. Thomas Massie, Don Bacon, Kevin Kiley, Jeff Hurd, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Dan Newhouse. Trump quickly responded on Truth Social, warning:
“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed tensions, telling reporters that Trump was “not upset” and reminding that the president still has veto power.
“It’s not going to affect or change his policy. He can veto these things if they come to it,” Johnson said, later calling the vote a “fruitless exercise,” noting there isn’t a two-thirds majority in either chamber to override a potential veto.
Still, the vote represents a notable moment of GOP dissent. Democrats were able to bring the measure forward using a procedural mechanism that allows tariff-related resolutions to pass with a simple majority. Similar votes on Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and his broader “liberation day” tariffs are expected in the coming weeks.
The Senate has already approved a comparable measure targeting the Canada tariffs, though any final legislation would almost certainly face a presidential veto.
Several of the Republicans who broke ranks cited economic pressures in their home states. Hurd told CNN that farmers and steel manufacturers in his district had been hit hard.
“At the end of the day, I looked at the Constitution, I looked at what was in the best interest of my district, and I took the vote,” he said. “It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing, and I stand by it.”
Asked if he feared political backlash from Trump, Hurd replied:
“I do the right thing, and what the consequences are, we’ll have to see.”
Newhouse, who is retiring at the end of his term, said his vote reflected Washington state’s strong trade ties with Canada, pointing to rising costs for fertilizer, equipment, and other agricultural inputs.
Bacon, also retiring, framed his vote as both an economic and constitutional issue. A longtime advocate of free trade, he argued that Congress—not the White House—should hold primary authority over tariffs.
“He needs to know that we’re not a rubber stamp,” Bacon said, adding that other Republicans privately share his concerns but are hesitant to publicly oppose the president.
Earlier in the day, Bacon suggested as many as 30 Republicans might support the measure. However, as pressure from GOP leadership and the White House intensified, only six ultimately crossed party lines.
