Vice President JD Vance traveled to Capitol Hill late Wednesday to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate that killed a bipartisan effort to rebuke President Donald Trump’s trade policy. Earlier in the evening, the Senate rejected the resolution that would have effectively blocked Trump’s global tariffs by revoking the emergency order the president is using to enact them. Two senators who were set to vote for the resolution, Republican Mitch McConnell and Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, were absent, allowing the resolution to fail 49-49. Senate Majority Leader John Thune then moved to ensure that tariff opponents were unable to bring their resolution back up at a later date, forcing Vance to the US Capitol to put an end to the matter. It marked just the second time the vice president has used his tie-breaking authority. In his second term, Trump has placed historic tariffs on a wide variety of imports. He’s put a 10% tariff on virtually everything coming into the United States; imposed 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and many items from Mexico and Canada; and placed a tariff of at least 145% on most Chinese goods imported to the US in by far the most significant trade action to date. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who cosponsored the resolution to block the tariffs, argued that Vance having to break the tie worked in the resolution-backers’ favor. “They are so dead set on this tariff idiocy that is wrecking the economy that they’re going to bring the vice president over to completely own it. Great, let them do it. Let them do it,” he said. “The American public needs to know who to blame for this. And they are showing everybody tonight who is to blame for this.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also hit at Republicans for preventing a future vote, saying that “Thune and the Republicans are working to keep Trump’s tariffs in place.” GOP Sens. Rand Paul, who cosponsored the resolution, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted along with Democrats in support of the resolution, but they were unable to pull together the needed votes to adopt it with the key absences Wednesday. McConnell would have voted for it had he not been under the weather. “The Senator has been consistent in opposing tariffs and that a trade war is not in the best interest of American households and businesses. He believes that tariffs are a tax increase on everybody,” his spokesman said. Even had there not been key absences and the resolution had been adopted, the resolution was dead on arrival in the House. There, Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this year tucked a provision into a rule to prohibit consideration of the measure until September 30. The Senate moved earlier this month to symbolically condemn Trump’s tariffs on Canada, and House Republicans used the same procedural tactic to ensure that resolution couldn’t be considered in their chamber. The president, for his part, has remained defiant in the face of congressional criticism, previously vowing to veto any such resolution if necessary. This headline and story have been updated with additional developments. CNN’s Dave Goldman contributed to this report.
Vice President Vance casts tie-breaking Senate vote to kill bipartisan effort to rebuke Trump’s trade policy
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Vice President Vance Casts Tie-Breaking Vote Against Resolution to Block Trump's Tariffs"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
Vice President JD Vance made a significant appearance at Capitol Hill on Wednesday evening, casting a tie-breaking vote that effectively halted a bipartisan effort to challenge President Donald Trump’s trade policies, specifically his global tariffs. The Senate had previously rejected a resolution intended to block these tariffs by revoking the emergency order under which they were enacted. The failure of the resolution, which ended in a 49-49 tie, was influenced by the absence of two key senators, Republican Mitch McConnell and Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse. Following this tie, Senate Majority Leader John Thune took measures to ensure that opponents of the tariffs would not have the opportunity to reintroduce the resolution in the future. This incident marked the second occasion on which Vice President Vance exercised his tie-breaking authority, a power that is rarely invoked. Under Trump’s administration, the tariffs imposed have been unprecedented, including a 10% tariff on nearly all imports, and more severe tariffs of 25% on steel, aluminum, and autos, along with staggering rates of up to 145% on Chinese goods.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, a co-sponsor of the resolution, expressed that Vance's involvement in breaking the tie inadvertently highlighted the responsibility of tariff supporters, stating that it would allow the public to identify who to blame for the economic repercussions associated with such policies. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republican attempts to prevent a future vote on the tariffs, asserting that they were actively working to maintain Trump’s trade measures. Despite some bipartisan support for the resolution, including votes from Republican Senators Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski, the necessary majority was unattainable due to key absences. Additionally, even if the resolution had passed in the Senate, it faced insurmountable challenges in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson had already implemented rules to prevent its consideration. The President has remained resolute in defending his tariffs, indicating a willingness to veto any resolution aimed at curbing his trade policies, further complicating the legislative landscape surrounding this issue.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article covers a significant political event where Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate, effectively killing a bipartisan resolution aimed at rebuking former President Donald Trump's trade policies. It highlights the dynamics of power in the Senate and the implications of tariff policies on the economy.
Political Implications
The voting outcome illustrates the division within the Senate, with a tie resulting from the absence of key senators. This event underscores the influence of the vice president's role in legislative decisions, particularly in a contentious political climate. The comments from senators supporting the resolution indicate a strategy to highlight accountability, portraying the vice president's involvement as a clear indication of who supports Trump's tariffs.
Public Perception
By emphasizing Vance's tie-breaking vote, the article seeks to shape public perception regarding trade policies and their economic impact. The framing suggests that the Republican Party, by siding with Trump's tariffs, may be held responsible for potential economic repercussions. The rhetoric used by senators like Tim Kaine and Chuck Schumer aims to rally public sentiment against these tariffs, suggesting that the administration's decisions could lead to adverse economic consequences.
Potential Concealments
The article does not overtly conceal information but focuses on the political ramifications of the vote, potentially downplaying broader economic analyses or dissenting voices within the Republican Party. The absence of McConnell and Whitehouse might indicate deeper divisions that are not fully explored in this piece.
Reliability of the Article
The article appears to be reliable, as it reports on a specific event with cited sources and quotes from public officials. However, the emphasis on certain narratives over others could indicate a slight bias towards framing the issue in a negative light for the current administration.
Narrative and Manipulation
The narrative surrounding the vote suggests a manipulation of public sentiment by emphasizing the consequences of tariff policies. The language used by senators to address the implications of Vance's vote aims to incite public anger and accountability against the Republican leadership. This approach can be seen as a political maneuver to galvanize support among constituents who may be adversely affected by trade policies.
Impact on Communities
The article resonates more with communities that are economically vulnerable to trade policies, such as workers in manufacturing and agriculture. It seeks to engage those who may feel the effects of tariffs in their daily lives, potentially igniting grassroots movements against these policies.
Market Reactions
Given the context of tariffs and trade policies, this news could influence market sentiment, particularly in industries affected by steel, aluminum, and automotive tariffs. Stocks in these sectors may experience volatility based on public and investor reactions to the Senate's decision and the broader implications of continued tariffs.
Global Context
While the article primarily focuses on domestic politics, the ongoing trade policies have global implications, especially concerning U.S.-China relations. The timing of the vote and its outcomes align with current discussions around international trade dynamics, making it relevant to ongoing global economic discussions.
Use of AI in Writing
It is unlikely that AI was directly involved in drafting this article, as it contains specific political analysis and quotes from public figures that suggest human authorship. However, if AI were to be utilized, it might have influenced the framing of the narrative to emphasize conflict and accountability, which is common in political reporting.
Overall, the article presents a reliable account of a significant political event while also serving specific political narratives aimed at shaping public opinion against the current administration's trade policies.