Larson, House Democrats, Hand Trump Defeat on Cost-Raising Tariffs

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), a member of the House Trade Subcommittee, voted for H.J. Res. 72, a bipartisan resolution to end President Trump’s cost-raising tariffs on Canadian imports.  

Canada is Connecticut’s largest trading partner. According to the Yale Budget Lab, the President’s tariff policies are costing the average household $1,700 more per year.    

“Today, House Democrats handed President Trump critical defeat on his signature issue: tariffs that are driving up costs at the grocery store, pharmacy, and everywhere you shop,” said Larson. “This vote is a victory for the Constitution, which makes it clear: It is Congress, not the President, with the power to enact tariffs. For nearly a year, Republican Leadership has done everything they can to shield his illegal abuse of power. No more. Americans need relief from this president’s tax on consumers. The Senate must act swiftly to pass this resolution, and our Republican colleagues must join with us to do more.  Working families can’t afford to wait for last-minute rule changes in the House and Supreme Court decisions. They need help now.” 

Today’s vote comes after Speaker Johnson failed to change House rules to prevent bills challenging President Trump’s tariffs from coming to the floor. Three Republicans joined every House Democrat last night to defeat that proposal and allow H.J. Res. 72 to advance to a full House vote. 

Rep. Larson introduced the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act with Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Don Beyer (VA-08) to block presidents from unilaterally abusing emergency powers to raise prices for working families. He also introduced a bill with Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38) to suspend President Trump’s tariffs and require Congress to vote before new tariffs can go into effect. Leading up to oral arguments in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, Larson and the entire Connecticut House delegation filed a brief with the Supreme Court opposing President Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs.