Sherrod Brown (D-OH) objects to amendment to take away much of Trump's power to impose new tariffs

[Miles Archer]

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a leading liberal voice on trade issues and a potential presidential candidate in 2020, objected on Wednesday to a vote on an amendment that would have taken away much of President Trump’s power to impose new tariffs.

Brown, who is up for reelection this fall in a major steel-producing state, slammed an amendment backed by GOP Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.) that would require congressional approval on tariffs that the president imposes based on national security concerns.

Brown’s objection spares Republicans from a showdown with Trump over trade, which Senate GOP leaders wanted to avoid. Republican leaders have argued that it does not make sense to clash with the president ahead of November's midterm elections, when turnout of the Republican base will be a key factor in determining which party controls the House and Senate.

The amendment would empower Congress to unwind the tariffs Trump has imposed on steel and aluminum imports from Mexico, Canada and the European Union.

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/394424-liberal-senate-democrat-shields-trump-from-trade-blowback

[AlexSFCA]

1. let trump own his legacy

[triron]

2. What is his rationale??

[JI7]

3. Ohio

[Fullduplexxx]

5. And up for re-election

[bitterross]

4. If the President* and his admin were honest/moral/ethical, it would be unnecessary

This should not have to be a concern of the congress. Brown is probably correct on Constitutional grounds. The congress should not be in the business of second-guessing the executive on these matters. Unfortunately, we don't have a person in office, or the people around him to restrain him, who can be trusted.

[Tatiana]

6. I agree with him. Let the tariffs stand.

The cult members need to start sharing the pain and consequences of their support for the madman.