GOP tax writer
The Texas congresswoman, who has proposed legislation (H.R. 6991) to impose an across-the-board 10% tariff, said there “should be enough votes” in favor of tariffs among House Republicans. But her comments come after three House Republicans joined with Democrats to rebuke Trump’s tariffs earlier this month, indicating there would likely not be enough GOP support to extend the new tariffs.
Trump announced a 15% tariff on global imports this weekend under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that he didn’t have the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The new 15% tariff will expire after 150 days unless Congress extends it.
While Van Duyne said she expects Congress to vote on an extension, she said she’s not sure when that would happen. If the House votes on Trump’s tariffs before their expiration in late July, it would put Republicans on the spot about a controversial economic policy months before November midterm elections that will determine control of the House.
Some of the critics of Trump’s tariff policies, including most Democrats and a few moderate Republicans, say the president lacks the authority to dictate trade policies without the consent of Congress. Article One of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to impose duties.
“There’s no doubt about it that it’s been helpful, like or not like the president’s policies,” Van Duyne said of the tariffs. Van Duyne represents a solidly red district, though some of her more moderate colleagues are at higher risk of losing their reelection bids later this year.
Citing a recent congressional delegation to Mexico, Van Duyne said there’s less fentanyl coming across the border to the US “as a direct result of Mexico partnering with us” because “of the threat of tariffs.”
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