WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming wound up on the losing end of a vote for the first time this year, as Democrats and a handful of Republicans passed a Senate measure Wednesday against President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
Barrasso, the Senate Republican whip, told Cowboy State Daily the vote was “meaningless.” He said the measure will be “dead on arrival” in the House.
The four Republicans voting with all the Democrats were Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
With all Democrats on board, the resolution passed 51-48 and now goes to the House.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, did not vote. But one more vote in opposition would not have changed the outcome.
The measure would have the force of law if enacted, but it is largely symbolic because even if it clears the House — which Barrasso said will not happen — Trump would veto it.
Still, it was a rebuke of Trump’s Feb. 1 declaration of an emergency that carried with it a 25% tariff hike on most Canada goods. Trump issued tariffs on other countries, but this resolution dealt solely with Canada.
Barrasso, Lummis
Trump justified the tariffs on what he sees as unfair trade practices and lax enforcement of fentanyl smuggling into the United States.
Immediately after the evening vote, Barrasso told Cowboy State Daily that the resolution’s sponsor, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, was posturing.
“Senator Kaine’s goal was not to make law. It was simply an effort to undermine President Trump’s successful work to secure the northern border,” Barrasso said. House Speaker Mike Johnson “already declared Senator Kaine’s resolution dead on arrival in the House of Representatives.
“It will never make it to President Trump’s desk. This meaningless messaging resolution will not stop Senate Republicans from making America’s communities safer.”
Lummis was not immediately available for comment after the evening vote.
Earlier in the day, she told Cowboy State Daily that, “American producers and workers deserve fair treatment, and President Trump is justified in demanding it. When our trading partners don’t play by the rules, we must stand firm. Wyoming and America deserve better. Promises made, promises kept.”
Consumers, Exports
Democrats and the Republicans who broke ranks said tariffs on Canada mean disaster for American consumers, as well as U.S. exporters facing retaliatory tariffs.
Also, while they agreed with most Republicans that fentanyl is ravaging America, they said there is no fentanyl emergency pertaining to Canada. They said nearly all of the imported, illicit fentanyl comes from or through Mexico.
But Wednesday morning, Barrasso spoke of threats along the Canadian boundary.
“There are unique threats to the U.S. at the northern border,” he said. “The northern border is now a hot spot for terror suspects, the drug cartels. That’s where they’re coming from now. They realize they have no chance at the southern border.”
Many Republicans echoed those remarks on the floor as justification for the tariffs.
The Senate two weeks ago passed a comprehensive anti-fentanyl bill.
Sean Barry can be reached at sean@cowboystatedaily.com.
