Members of the Republican establishment have not been coy about their disapproval of President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Mexico. Now, they’re upping the ante.
Congressional Republicans are discussing holding a vote to block the tariffs, which would be a significant smack in the face to a President who has enjoyed (nearly) monolithic loyalty from his party. According to the Washington Post, as a byproduct, the vote could also end up blocking funds Trump earmarked for his border wall.
Trump’s tariffs hinge on his national emergency declaration, which Congress could overturn with a vote of disapproval. Trump vetoed such a vote in March, but this latest dustup seems to be engendering more widespread anger than the last, dangling the possibility of a veto-proof vote.
Some Republicans who are more wary about ruffling the President’s feathers have opted for a backdoor diplomacy route to get him to change his mind on the tariffs. But now, Trump’s out on a branch — his announcement was an aggressive move to extract some kind of concessions from the Mexican government on immigration (no one seems exactly sure of the specifics of what he wants), and now he’d have to find a way out of his strong-arming while still saving some face.
Smack him in the face, Republicans! It’s about time!!
Trump: It’s a coup!
Seriously, it’s a good time for one.
I am not holding my breath for the Repukes to do the right thing although this involves money and they might be getting worried about their donors. As always, it comes down to them putting money above all else but they will have to get enough votes in the House and Senate to override a veto so it will probably not happen.
They are likely more concerned with the tariffs tanking the economy in 2020 than doing the right thing.
Well, it may be a vestigial spine, but there’s still hope.
(Not much, I realize, but I remain the eternal optimist…)
OT: Today’s laugh is Camilla winking at someone behind Spankee’s back yesterday, where, apparently, Spankee and Melanoma were scheduled for exactly 15 mins for tea before being hustled out so the fumigators could come in.
Do note that Melanoma doesn’t understand that you actually do remove your hat when you come inside (didn’t she ever watch Downton Abbey???).