Senate Democrats Argue Republicans Should Stop Tariff Hikes
Democrats said they are going to be bringing up the high cost of living over and over again, and tariffs are a big part of their argument that Republicans are not tackling the problem.
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At a press conference at the Capitol Dec. 17, Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said that tariffs have cost families $1,200 this year.
"Congress could fix this. Tariffs are in the wheelhouse of Congress. We could fix this tomorrow," if Republicans would break from the administration on this policy, he said.
In response to a question from International Trade Today on how that could be accomplished, he said, "We are ready to work with our Republican colleagues, and I think they would make a better decision -- a different decision -- if they were talking to their own constituents."
Earlier, he said, "Washington Republicans are working for him," referring to Trump, rather than their constituents.
He said he didn't understand "why you would go through all the things we have to go through to get this job," just to allow a president to make all the decisions.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., reminded reporters that the Senate, with the help of a handful of Republicans, acted to terminate the reciprocal tariffs, the 40% additional tariffs on Brazil, and the fentanyl tariffs on Canada.
Those resolutions now are "sitting over in the [House] Speaker's candy jar, with the way-too-expensive candy," she quipped.
She added, "Obviously, the president would probably veto these bills, but at some point, our colleagues ... are going to have to say, who are they here to represent? Are they here rubber-stamping Trump, or are they here for their constituents?"
Senate Democrats did not change the Section 232 law when they controlled the Senate after President Donald Trump first used the law to hike tariffs on steel and aluminum, and that law is behind cost pressures on new vehicles, house renovations and new home building, as well as stranded wire and cables.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said "Tariffs have increased the cost of building a new housing unit by $11,000," putting a hurdle in front of the country's one hope to lower the cost of housing -- increasing supply.
Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have a bill that would make future tariffs under Section 232, as well as Section 301, Section 338 or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act sunset after 60 days unless Congress approves them (see 2504030018). Grassley tried, and failed, to find Republican consensus on restricting presidential power for Section 232 tariffs when he led the Senate Finance Committee during Trump's first term,
Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., noted that seven Republicans (including Grassley) are co-sponsors of that bill. If all senators who caucus with the Democrats joined them, that would be enough to meet the filibuster threshold, but not a veto-proof majority.
"We just need -- in the House and the Senate -- Republicans to join us, and buck Trump and do what's right for their constituents," he said.