Three Republican Senators Break Ranks with Trump on Tariff Vote

In a narrowly contested bipartisan clash, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday night came close to dismantling the last of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The effort was halted only by a 49-49 tie, with three Republican senators siding with Democrats in a clear rebuke of the ongoing economic turbulence.

The deadlocked vote was a temporary win for Trump and his economic team. Notably, the absence of two senators—former GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)—who were both expected to support the anti-tariff motion, played a crucial role in the outcome.

Almost immediately, Trump allies condemned Republican Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Susan Collins (R-ME) for opposing the tariff policy. Yet, their opposition was not unexpected to those following internal GOP disagreements over trade. As the Associated Press reported, all three have previously expressed frustration with the economic consequences of the administration’s strategy.

Senator Murkowski, speaking on the Senate floor last month, echoed Democratic arguments about restoring congressional authority over trade policy.

“I think it’s time for Congress to reassert itself, whether it’s on tariffs, whether it’s on the power of appropriation, whether it’s overseeing the bodies, the agencies that we as a body have authorized,” she said while introducing a bill aimed at curbing presidential control over tariffs.

Senators Paul and McConnell have consistently maintained a critical stance toward tariffs, viewing them as harmful economic tools—an opinion rooted in their long-standing policy views.

Despite the close call in the Senate, Trump has remained silent on the matter, opting not to issue a statement or post on social media. Behind the scenes, however, administration officials like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and advisor Howard Lutnick have been making the case that the tariffs are effective in bringing foreign governments to the negotiating table.

Bessent, serving as a key figure in promoting Trump’s trade agenda, joined White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a recent broadcast marking the administration’s 100th day. During the event, they provided updates on ongoing negotiations with dozens of countries seeking to revise their trade deals with the U.S.

At the center of this strategy is a sweeping 145% general tax on imported goods, a policy that appears to be severely impacting China’s economy.

“I’ve seen some very large numbers over the past few days that show if these numbers stay on, China could lose 10 million jobs very quickly, and even if there is a drop in the tariffs, they could lose five million jobs,” Bessent explained, calling the tariff structure “unsustainable” for the Chinese economy.

Meanwhile, according to CNN, the administration is watching developments in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers are debating Trump’s proposed tax reform package. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has called the initiative “big, beautiful” and predicted it would “solve a lot of problems” and “turbo boost” the economy.

Speaking Tuesday morning, Bessent expressed optimism, saying, “Negotiations to determine funding for the plan are going much better than I would’ve thought when I took office on January 28th.”