Senate Blocks Effort to Overturn Trump’s Tariffs in a Win for the Former President
In a high-stakes vote on Capitol Hill, the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a resolution aimed at reversing former President Donald Trump’s sweeping 10% tariffs on all imported goods. The measure failed in a 49-49 deadlock, with only three Republicans—Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Rand Paul (Kentucky)—breaking ranks to support the Democratic-led initiative.
The result marked a significant political victory for Trump and GOP leadership, who lobbied aggressively to keep their conference unified. But it also handed Democrats a fresh opportunity to highlight Republican fractures and question the broad use of presidential emergency powers on trade, Axios reported.
Democratic hopes were undercut by the absence of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who was returning from South Korea. Meanwhile, former GOP leader Mitch McConnell didn’t vote but issued a pointed statement through his office: “He has consistently opposed tariffs and believes trade wars are harmful to American families and businesses. Tariffs are, in essence, a tax hike on everyone.”
Senate Republicans made a concerted effort to rally moderate colleagues, emphasizing that the resolution would have also removed tariffs against China—one of Trump’s major economic pressure points. Earlier in the month, a few Republicans had sided with Democrats on a similar resolution aimed at restoring tariffs on Canadian imports. But GOP leadership insisted this new vote wasn’t a simple repeat.
Democrats, meanwhile, are leveraging a rarely used legislative tool that allows them to force votes challenging presidential emergency declarations. This week’s vote was triggered by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), as Democrats continue to push back on Trump’s increasingly assertive trade agenda.
Their broader strategy centers on highlighting growing divisions within the Republican Party—especially over rising consumer costs and Trump’s expansive view of executive power. The resolution directly challenged Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on both allies and adversaries.
“These votes are largely symbolic,” said Sen. John Thune (R-SD) before the vote. “Democrats are looking to make a statement, while Republicans are giving the administration space to negotiate better trade deals.”
Still, Sen. Rand Paul warned the issue is far from settled: “If the economy weakens—if tariffs spark a market selloff or growth falters—this conversation will come roaring back. Then we’ll all have to ask, is this good policy or bad?”
Despite criticism from Democrats, establishment Republicans, and much of the mainstream media, Trump’s approval ratings have surged. A new poll conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with the Daily Mail shows his approval climbing to 53%—a four-point gain from just a week earlier.
Support for Trump is surging across key demographics. Among voters aged 18 to 29—once considered a weak spot for the former president—favorability has jumped 13 points since early March. The study suggests Trump is building on his surprising gains from the November election, when younger voters shifted 10 points in his favor compared to 2020.
The poll also found a 6-point increase in support among Democrats and independents, and an eye-catching 17-point surge among Black voters—an indication that Trump’s message on trade and the economy may be resonating more broadly than many expected.
