Summary
Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Don Bacon, are reconsidering Trump’s tariff authority, citing economic uncertainty and potential backlash over rising consumer prices.
Bacon called for restoring tariff power to Congress, admitting past mistakes in granting temporary presidential authority.
Rep. Ralph Norman acknowledged the potential pain of auto tariffs but remained hopeful of their effectiveness.
The Congressional Budget Office warned of short-term inflation and reduced economic efficiency.
I have serious doubts that fear of reprisal or consequence from voters is a serious motivating factor for just about any Republican in Congress. Their voters have made it abundantly clear that they will never consider voting for a candidate from a different party. Until that changes, and of course assuming that elections still matter, then this is all just noise from the handful of Republicans left in relatively competitive districts.