Senator Sheldon Whitehouse missed a pivotal vote on Trump’s new tariffs—now Democrats are furious, and the backlash is growing.
What Happened 🗳️
A crucial Senate vote aimed at challenging former President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs ended in a 49-49 deadlock. Vice President JD Vance broke the tie, voting against the resolution and allowing Trump’s tariffs to stand.
The drama intensified when it was revealed that Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse missed the vote due to a scheduled appearance at an international environmental conference in South Korea.
Why It Matters
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Trump introduced "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) from the 1970s.
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Critics argue the law doesn’t give the president authority to unilaterally impose tariffs without congressional approval.
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Multiple U.S. states are now suing the administration over the legality of these measures.
Reactions Within the Senate
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Three Republican senators—Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski—joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.
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Sen. Mitch McConnell, also absent due to illness, stated he would have voted in favor of the resolution, opposing Trump’s tariff policy.
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Despite support from both sides, Whitehouse’s absence tipped the scale.
Democratic Frustration Grows
Whitehouse’s no-show drew strong criticism:
"Completely unserious about your job," posted Democratic congressional candidate Saikat Chakrabarti.
“I hope Sheldon Whitehouse enjoyed the conference in Korea,” wrote podcast host Josh Barro.
Even fellow Democrats expressed frustration with party leadership for scheduling the vote during Whitehouse’s planned absence.
Whitehouse Responds
A spokesperson for Whitehouse defended his absence, saying he was the only American official present at the Our Ocean summit. He reiterated his opposition to Trump’s tariffs on X, calling them economically disastrous and referencing previous Senate votes he supported to end similar tariff measures.
What's Next?
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved to block any chance of reviving the resolution.
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Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader, criticized Republicans for obstructing further debate, accusing them of shielding Trump’s tariffs from scrutiny.
