Senate Backs Resolution to Block Trump's Tariffs on Brazil, With 5 Republicans Joining Democrats.
The Senate voted on Tuesday in support of a resolution that would block President Trump's tariffs on Brazilian goods, with five Republicans joining Democrats to vote in favor. The resolution, led by Senator Tim Kaine, aims to terminate the national emergency declaration imposed by Mr. Trump, which would result in 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports.
The measure passed with a simple majority of 52-48 and was not subject to the usual 60-vote threshold required for most legislation. The resolution's sponsors accused Mr. Trump of imposing the tariffs as a retaliatory measure against the conviction of his friend, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
The bill is mostly symbolic, as it will still need to pass the House and be signed by the president. However, Senator Kaine believes that even small numbers of Republican votes can influence Mr. Trump's behavior, citing an instance where a similar resolution passed with a narrow margin.
Some prominent Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also expressed their opposition to tariffs, stating that they make both building and buying in America more expensive and have severe economic consequences.
The administration has cited a law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify its decision, which gives any senator the authority to force a vote to challenge the move.
The Senate voted on Tuesday in support of a resolution that would block President Trump's tariffs on Brazilian goods, with five Republicans joining Democrats to vote in favor. The resolution, led by Senator Tim Kaine, aims to terminate the national emergency declaration imposed by Mr. Trump, which would result in 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports.
The measure passed with a simple majority of 52-48 and was not subject to the usual 60-vote threshold required for most legislation. The resolution's sponsors accused Mr. Trump of imposing the tariffs as a retaliatory measure against the conviction of his friend, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
The bill is mostly symbolic, as it will still need to pass the House and be signed by the president. However, Senator Kaine believes that even small numbers of Republican votes can influence Mr. Trump's behavior, citing an instance where a similar resolution passed with a narrow margin.
Some prominent Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also expressed their opposition to tariffs, stating that they make both building and buying in America more expensive and have severe economic consequences.
The administration has cited a law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify its decision, which gives any senator the authority to force a vote to challenge the move.
! Trump is trying to punish Brazil over Jair Bolsonaro's sentencing and now the senate is all like "nah bro we gotchu" 
with 5 republicans joining dems on this one! its kinda crazy that the resolution passed with just a simple majority tho 
. i mean, im no expert or anything but isnt this basically just a big middle finger to trump? 
anyway, i love tim kaine for standing up to trump and trying to protect brazil from these tariffs 
. lets keep fingers crossed that the house and pres will follow suit 
!
I think it's cool that Senate supported this resolution, but what's up with the 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports? Like, isn't trade supposed to be fair for everyone? 
It seems like Trump is using his power to get back at Brazil for something unrelated to them. And why did he do that? 
. Was it the fact that they don't really like tariffs either, or was there something else going on? 
. Like, I've seen some big birds before, but this one was on another level! Anyway, I started thinking about how tariffs work and stuff, and it makes me wonder if Brazil would even notice a 50% tax on their goods? Like, wouldn't they just find ways to adapt or something?
It's like the best thing since sliced bread! Okay, so I was walking back from the trailhead and I saw this adorable little puppy wagging its tail... wait, where was I? Oh yeah, tariffs! So, what do you guys think about this whole situation? Should we be worried about our trade relationships with Brazil or what? 
. five republicans joining democrats is like, whoa, what's next? are they all just secretly having brunch together or something? 
seriously though, it's kinda cool that tim kaine got enough votes to make a statement (and by statement, i mean block trump's tariffs which, tbh, was super unnecessary).
. i mean, who needs tariffs when you have good ol' fashioned common sense? 
it's also kinda funny that trumps trying to get revenge on jair bolsonaro ended up backfiring... guess you could say his friend won't be getting any favors from trump anytime soon 
anyway it's all just a game right now and we'll see how this plays out in the house 
hopefully they don't take away our steak imports 
! Like, seriously, 50% tariffs? That's just bad for business and people's pockets 
. I'm all for trade agreements and working together, but come on, President Trump, that's not the way to do it 
. Anyway, it's cool to see some Republicans coming around and joining Democrats on this one 
. Maybe it'll inspire Trump to rethink his moves 
. But for now, let's just keep an eye on how it all plays out 
.
. I mean, who needs friends when you can just impose tariffs on entire countries? It's like, totally petty, but hey, at least it gives us something to talk about. But seriously, 50% tariffs? That's just crazy 
. But let's be real, this whole thing is super symbolic and will likely end up getting vetoed anyway 
It's like we're all stuck in this toxic game of tit-for-tat politics 
? and whats up with senator kaine being all serious about it 
it's pretty clear he's retaliating against jair bolsonaro's conviction and honestly i think it's kinda petty. but anyway, glad to see some republicans finally standing up against this madness 
we need some bipartisan love over here 
i mean, senator kaine thinks it can influence his behavior but let's be real, trump doesn't care about that stuff. and those 2 republicans who actually voted for it? they must be getting a nice paycheck from the brazilian government 
. still, its good to see some bipartisan support for once, maybe thats a sign that things are starting to change in washington