Republicans Quietly Cede Power to Cancel Trump's Tariffs, Avoiding a Tough Vote

[In It to Win It]

NYT - Gift Link

House Republican leaders on Tuesday quietly moved to shield their members from having to vote on whether to end President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, tucking language into a procedural measure that effectively removed their chamber’s ability to undo the levies.

The maneuver was a tacit acknowledgment of how politically toxic the issue had become for their party, and another example of how the all-Republican Congress is ceding its power to the executive branch.

In this case, Republican leaders did so using a particularly unusual contortion: They essentially declared the rest of the year one long day, nullifying a law that allows the House and Senate to jointly put an end to a disaster declared by the president.

House Democrats had planned to force a vote on resolutions to end the tariffs on Mexico and Canada, a move allowed under the National Emergencies Act, which provides a mechanism for Congress to terminate an emergency like the one Mr. Trump declared when he imposed the tariffs on Feb. 1.

That would have forced Republicans — many of whom are opposed to tariffs as a matter of principle — to go on the record on the issue at a time when Mr. Trump’s commitment to tariffs has spooked the financial markets and spiked concerns of reigniting inflation.

[North Shore Chicago]

1. Jellyfish

have more spine than these fools.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Forget daylight savings: "Each day for the remainder of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day"

So this is simultaneously an "emergency" that is needed to allow Trump to turn tariffs into a random number generator, and something that can be fucked around with, using ridiculous "definitions" that show the Republicans in Congress to be morons and cowards.

Time is just an illusion. Republican time doubly so.

[RainCaster]

12. The Party of Flacid

This is not the party of strength, but the party of flacidity. Yes, the Limp Dick Party. Every single one of these clowns has voted to give Putin everything he has asked for, and more.

[BoRaGard]

3. Caviar-munching republicon Surrender Monkeys are a disgrace

[progressoid]

4. Let's see --- It's 5:35 a.m.

Is that too early to start drinking?

[The Madcap]

5. If only I didn't have to work today

I would join you.

[Ray Bruns]

6. I wouldn't worry. They will want that power back when the next president is a democrat.

[thesquanderer]

7. If congress can redefine the word "day" to get around a law, we are really through the looking glass...

“When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”

[Josiesdad]

8. What else does this affect?

Is the April 15th tax deadline pushed out? Are some 3rd trimester abortions legal now?

[lonely bird]

9. Gutless turds

There is not one Republican in office who has any moral courage or moral center beyond screeching about sex.

[CaptainTruth]

10. "all-Republican Congress"? REALLY???

NYT is saying there are no Democrats in Congress.

If they said "Republican-majority Congress" that would be accurate but not "all-Republican Congress".

What passes for journalism has really gone downhill the past several decades.

[Nigrum Cattus]

11. German congress did the same thing

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/hitler-comes-to-power

[Buddyzbuddy]

13. Not a righteous person with integrity amongst the Republicans.

[mdbl]

14. Just when I think they couldn't get more reprehensible

They prove me wrong every time.

[Evolve Dammit]

15. Fools. Absolute cowards and fools

[Karasu]

16. Making the executive branch all-powerful is exactly what they want. Meanwhile, Congress is rapidly committing suicide

and all too eager to indulge them.