WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wyoming’s members of Congress helped pass a sprawling budget plan, finishing the job Thursday in a win for President Donald Trump, and now they're watching to see how many more Republicans will join Democrats in attacking Trump’s tariffs.
Bills in both the House and Senate would give Congress the authority to end Trump’s tariffs. The bills, sponsored by members of both parties, are on hold for now because Congress left town for a two-week vacation for Easter and Passover as the week ended.
But the measures could gain steam when lawmakers return to D.C., depending on Trump’s frequently changing tariff orders and how they affect consumer prices and the markets.
It’s unlikely the legislation to rein in Trump’s tariff power will pass, and even more improbable that supermajorities could be mustered to override a Trump veto. Even so, the issue could become difficult for staunch Trump backers like the Wyoming delegation if GOP defections mount.
Further, lawmakers critical of the tariffs are opening up another front with Senate resolutions that steal the spotlight. Unlike bills that might die quietly in committees, the resolutions force long floor debates, even if they have almost no chance of becoming law.
The Republican leadership team that includes Barrasso recently lost a vote on the first of these Democrat-ledanti-tariff resolutions, when four Republicans broke ranks. Another, broader measure is teed up for after recess.
Houses Finishes Budget
The last big development on Capitol Hill before vacation was Thursday, when the House voted 216-214 for a multi-year budget blueprint that extends the tax cuts made in Trump’s first term. Trump supported the package, which passed the Senate earlier on a 51-48 count.
Four Republicans — two in each chamber — joined all Capitol Hill Democrats in opposing that long-term spending plan. Wyoming’s delegation — the Republican trio of U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis plus U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman — helped get it through.
“For four years, America has watched as Joe Biden and the Democrats ran our country and our economy into the ground,” Barrasso said on the Senate floor ahead of that chamber’s vote.
Barrasso: $4 Trillion Tax Hike Averted
The legislation establishes a 2025 budget and sets forth spending plans for each ensuing year until 2034.
Democrats complained of exploding debt and “tax cuts for billionaires.” Republicans countered that the tax relief is spread across income levels and that the overall plan makes targeted spending cuts to help offset the debt.
In the run-up to the Senate vote, Barrasso — who, as the Senate whip, helps round up support within the party — said the plan averts a $4 trillion tax hike over the long term. The Republicans breaking ranks were mostly concerned about running up deficits.
Barrasso said the budget blueprint protects Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, boosts spending for the military and border protection, promotes production of energy such as oil, and cuts waste. He said it “puts us on the path to finish the wall” at the southern border.
Anti-Tariff Legislation Has GOP Sponsors
Bills in both chambers would give Congress the authority to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution, and would limit all tariffs to 60 days unless Congress votes to extend them.
Supporters say the legislation restores Congress’s role on trade under the Constitution, while opponents note Congress has long delegated broad authority to the president.
Critics also say restraints would hurt Trump’s overarching plan to use tariffs as a way to encourage job growth in the manufacturing sector and thus make America less reliant on imports.
U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, are sponsoring one of these bills to shift tariff power to Congress. Introduced April 3, the co-sponsors include Republican U.S. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Todd Young of Indiana. Several Democrats are on the bill too.
In the House on April 8, companion legislation was rolled out by Republican U.S. Reps. Jeff Hurd of Colorado and Don Bacon of Nebraska, plus a pair of Democrats.
Wyoming Delegation Reaction
Cowboy State Daily contacted Barrasso, Lummis and Hageman seeking comment on these bills to rein in Trump’s tariff authority.
“Senator Lummis does not support this legislation and won't be cosponsoring it,” said Joe Jackson, a spokesman for the senator. “This legislation would undermine President Trump's ability to negotiate with other countries and bring more jobs back home to America.”
Barrasso noted the long trend of Congress delegating trade power to the president.
“Over the last 90 years, Congress has given presidents more authority to use tariffs to address national security issues and unfair trade practices,” he told Cowboy State Daily. “President Trump is doing what he has every right to do.”
Barrasso also cited Republicans’ successful budget passage “to keep taxes low so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.” He said the Senate “will continue to work closely with President Trump and his team on the entire agenda to boost the economy.”
Though his comments suggest he opposes the Grassley-Cantwell bill, a spokeswoman would not confirm his position.
Representatives for Hageman did not reply to requests for comment.
Sean Barry can be reached at sean@cowboystatedaily.com.
