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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) passed the United States Senate on Thursday in an effort to end global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
The joint resolution, SJ 88, co-sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky), passed in a 51-47 vote — seeing support from other members of the GOP such as Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Other sponsors of the bill include Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
The resolution would end the national emergency declared by President Trump to impose global tariffs. The resolution, along with similar bills to end tariffs imposed on Canada and Brazil now head to the United States House of Representatives for consideration.
“For the third day in a row, bipartisan senators have made it clear that it’s time to put a stake in the heart of Donald Trump’s job-killing trade taxes,” Wyden said in a statement following the vote. “These three Senate-passed bills are now pending in the House, where Speaker Johnson has done everything in his power to ensure they won’t get a vote. Every time Americans pay more for their TV, groceries or car payment they’re going to know it’s because House Republicans were too afraid to vote to protect them. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to give Republicans opportunities to put their constituents ahead of blind loyalty to Donald Trump.”
KOIN 6 News has reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). This story will be updated if we receive a response.
The resolution’s passage on Thursday comes after its initial vote six months ago, which saw a tied 49-49 vote.
“Tariffs are taxes. They drive up the costs for things Americans buy every day and make it harder for American businesses to thrive and create more jobs,” Sen. Rand Paul said. “That is why the Constitution sets a high bar for enacting a new tax – Congress must pass a law and the President must sign it. These new taxes in the form of tariffs don’t just fail on economics, they fail on the Constitution and must be reversed.”
As reported by The Hill, the resolution’s passage is a “symbolic victory for critics of Trump’s trade policies,” as House Speaker Mike Johnson is unlikely to bring it up for a vote and President Trump can veto the resolution.
Ahead of the vote, Sen. Wyden spoke on the Senate floor, urging passage of the resolution.
“American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up. More than three-quarters of families say they’re monthly expenses have increased by more than $100 a month. There is something, however, colleagues, the Senate can do today. Today, it’s possible for the Senate to focus on bringing families relief to their wallets.”
“In my view, Donald Trump’s actions clearly go beyond what the law allows, which is why I’m urging passage of this bill to finally end the president’s unlawful tariffs,” Wyden said. “Fortunately, Congress – not the president – has got the final word on tariffs, and taxes and trade. Senators can vote today to end harmful and dangerous global tariffs.”
“The United States Senate has clear authority, not authority that is up for grabs, not authority that hasn’t been addressed. It’s clear authority. This is Congress’ job. It’s not a partisan issue, it’s a jobs issue, it’s a kitchen table issue,” Oregon’s senior senator added.
The resolution comes as the state of Oregon is challenging the president’s tariffs, with Attorney General Dan Rayfield filing a lawsuit in April in the Court of International Trade in New York.
The lawsuit argues that the president does not have the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs, rather, Congress has the power to enact tariffs under Article I of the Constitution.
In September, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear the case.
While President Trump’s executive orders state the president has the authority to impose tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Rayfield argues that law only applies in an emergency with an “unusual and extraordinary” threat from abroad and does not give the president the power to impose tariffs.
On October 27, Wyden led a bipartisan amicus brief — also known as friend of the court brief — in support of Oregon’s lawsuit.
As reported by the Associated Press, President Trump has offered several justifications for imposing global tariffs, including using tariffs to balance trade, spur American manufacturing, stop illegal immigration, end human trafficking and stop the flow of fentanyl.
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Michaela Bourgeois
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