The Senate voted 51-48 to pass a resolution aimed at stopping President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. The resolution seeks to end Trump’s national emergency on fentanyl smuggling, which he declared in February to justify the tariffs. Four Republicans, including Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
Despite its passage, the resolution has little chance of becoming law.

Trump has already stated, “I will never sign it.”

The measure also faces strong opposition in the GOP-controlled House. Rand Paul, one of the bill’s sponsors, said House Republicans will block the resolution through “trickery and chicanery.”

Senator Paul argued that the resolution is necessary because the president cannot impose tariffs without congressional approval. “Tariffs are taxes,” he said, emphasizing that only Congress has the power to raise taxes. Democratic co-sponsor Tim Kaine echoed the sentiment, saying, “We don’t like government by executive emergency declaration.”

Trump announced new tariffs on several countries, including the European Union, Japan, and Israel, on the same day the Senate voted on the resolution. However, Senate critics argue Canada was not affected by the new tariffs. Senator Mike Crapo defended Trump’s actions, stating that the fentanyl crisis still qualifies as a national emergency.

Trump lashed out at Republicans who supported the resolution, accusing them of siding with Democrats. “They are playing with the lives of the American people, and right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats and Drug Cartels,” he wrote on Truth Social.

With Trump promising to veto the measure and House Republicans unwilling to take it up, the resolution is unlikely to change policy. The battle over tariffs remains a key issue as Trump moves forward with his trade agenda.