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House Rejects GOP Bid to Block Tariff Votes

2/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. House rejected a Republican effort to block votes on tariffs tied to U.S. President Donald Trump in a 217-214 vote.
Three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the rule, enabling challenges to tariffs on Canada and other countries.
Speaker Mike Johnson's bid to delay votes until the Supreme Court rules failed.
Democrats are poised to push for a vote to repeal the tariffs, arguing they burden consumers and businesses.

History

Historical Context

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, enacted on June 17, 1930, raised tariffs on over 20,000 goods to protect U.S. industries during the Great Depression. This protectionist measure led to a 66% decline in global trade and retaliatory tariffs from other nations, exacerbating economic woes. The act remains a cautionary tale in trade policy debates, highlighting the risks of isolationism in economic crises.

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Story summary

The U.S. House rejected a Republican effort to block votes on tariffs tied to U.S. President Donald Trump in a 217-214 vote.
Three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the rule, enabling challenges to tariffs on Canada and other countries.
Speaker Mike Johnson's bid to delay votes until the Supreme Court rules failed.
Democrats are poised to push for a vote to repeal the tariffs, arguing they burden consumers and businesses.

1 / 2