Mike Johnson’s Bid to Save Trump Tariffs From House Vote Could Be Easily Unraveled
President Trump’s tariffs policy might soon face two crucial tests – a House vote forced by Democrats and a Supreme Court ruling.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has hoped to avoid a vote on Trump’s tariffs, but Democrats are pushing to force the issue as early as Wednesday.
There are at least six Republican House members described as skeptical of the policy, according to The Hill, and Democrats would only need the support of two to force a vote. Republicans were able to get legislation through the House Rules Committee on Monday that would prevent any tariff votes until July 31.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the power to impose tariffs lie with Congress. Trump has cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as justification for his broad use of tariffs as part of his foreign policy. However, that justification was challenged and is now before the Supreme Court, who heard oral arguments on the matter in November 2025.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lamented the possibility that Trump could be stripped of using the IEEPA to implement tariffs by the Supreme Court In a Sunday interview on Fox News.
“President Trump has used it for the American people, and it would be a big loss to take that away from him,” Bessent said.
Meanwhile, Johnson has been working to avoid a vote in the House, hoping to continue to abdicate Congress’s authority to the President. In September, Republicans thwarted efforts by Democrats to force a vote on the matter by a vote of 213-211, according to Politico.
International Business Times has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment but has not heard back.
To make matters worse for Johnson, some House Republicans are now openly questioning Trump’s tariffs policy toward Canada.
“We have a trade agreement with them, and I don’t like how the White House has treated our neighbor and ally,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., Told Politico on Monday.
The Senate already voted twice to block Trump’s tariffs, which means that a successful vote in the House could force Trump to veto the legislation.
The potential vote on tariffs comes as Congress also works to stave off another government shutdown. Following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota, Democrats have said they will block funding for the Department of Homeland Security without concessions from Republicans, Roll Call reported.
Some Republicans floated the idea of a continuing resolution – maybe even for just two weeks – while a settlement is worked out.