This was unexpected.
A critical House vote tied to President Trump’s tariff policy is suddenly at risk, as several Republican lawmakers signal they may break with party leadership over efforts to block votes aimed at undoing Trump’s trade agenda.
The procedural vote, scheduled for Tuesday evening, would temporarily reinstate a rule preventing rapid “snap votes” that could repeal the national emergency authority President Trump used to impose tariffs. GOP leaders say the move is necessary to protect Trump’s trade policies while a key legal challenge works its way through the Supreme Court.
But not all Republicans agree.
Reps. Kevin Kiley of California and Victoria Spartz of Indiana confirmed they plan to vote against the rule, arguing that Congress should not sidestep its constitutional role when it comes to tariffs and trade policy.
Spartz said lawmakers should be openly voting on tariffs rather than using procedural maneuvers to delay debate.
“Congress has a responsibility to determine which tariffs help the country and which do not,” she said.
Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska has also indicated he is leaning toward opposing the rule, citing concerns with the tariff provision. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky — a frequent critic of GOP leadership — has previously voted against similar rules and is widely viewed as another potential holdout.
With Republicans holding only a slim majority, party leaders can afford to lose just one vote if all members are present. Procedural rule votes are typically strict party-line tests, making defections especially dangerous for leadership.
Signaling trouble behind the scenes, House leaders delayed the vote from early afternoon to 8:30 p.m., giving leadership more time to rally support.
The controversy stems from action by the House Rules Committee, controlled by Speaker Mike Johnson, which approved language reinstating the ban on snap votes through the end of July. The restriction is tucked into a broader procedural package that sets the legislative agenda for the week.
Democrats had been preparing to force a vote repealing President Trump’s tariffs on Canada, a move GOP leaders argue would undermine America’s negotiating leverage and weaken Trump’s America-first trade strategy.
Speaker Johnson defended the delay, telling Republican lawmakers that Congress should wait for the Supreme Court to rule on a pending case challenging the president’s authority to impose tariffs under national emergency powers.
“The purpose of this short extension is to allow the Supreme Court to rule on a case everyone is watching closely,” Johnson said during a closed-door meeting. “It’s logical to let that process play out.”
Johnson also emphasized that President Trump’s trade policies have delivered tangible benefits for American workers, manufacturers, and domestic industries.
“The president’s trade agenda has been a net positive for the country,” Johnson said, adding that Republicans should allow more time for the issue to be resolved between the executive and judicial branches.
That argument appeared to persuade Rep. Tom McClintock of California, who had previously joined a small Republican rebellion on a similar vote. After starting the day undecided, McClintock announced he would support the rule.
“I remain skeptical of tariffs and believe free trade leads to prosperity,” McClintock wrote on social media. “But with the Supreme Court expected to rule by summer, changing the status quo now would be premature.”
Spartz, however, remained unconvinced, warning that Congress should not defer its authority to the courts.
“We are the Article I branch of government,” she said. “Congress needs to do its job — supporting the president when policies help the country and making adjustments when needed.”
Kiley also made clear his position is final, saying no argument would sway him as long as the tariff language remains in the rule.