Democrats look to force Republicans to choose between backing Trump or lessening tariff pain

Congressional Democrats are taking steps to force their Republican colleagues to choose between backing President Donald Trump and reining in his economic policy amid mounting fears of a global recession.

Congressional Democrats are taking steps to force their Republican colleagues to choose between backing President Donald Trump and reining in his economic policy amid mounting fears of a global recession. The efforts are unlikely to succeed long term, given the White House has already warned it would override any potential push. But Democrats want to pressure Republicans to publicly decide whether they’ll stand with the president or whether they’ll attempt to prevent price hikes for their constituents. A day before Trump’s massive reciprocal tariffs are set to take effect, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks took a procedural step that will soon force a vote to terminate the president’s steep global tariffs that have rattled American consumers and could soon raise the prices of everything from groceries to gasoline, according to a person familiar with the plans. The senior Democrat’s resolution — expected to be deemed “privileged,” which means it will come to the floor within 15 days despite GOP leadership opposition — would end the tariffs announced by the White House last week. Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are planning to force a vote on rolling back global tariffs when they return from recess, with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul expected to join them on the measure. As privileged, they would be able to force a vote when the chamber returns from its two-week recess, according to Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, around the same time the House will be forced to vote on Meeks’ resolution — though timing for either could slide.