Trump’s Trade Policy Could Face Senate Test This Week
McConnell not against vote on Corker measure that would give Congress more oversight
President Donald Trump’s trade policy, including steel and aluminum tariffs, could be put to the test on the Senate floor this week.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he was not against holding a vote on legislation from Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., that would give Congress more oversight of President Donald Trump’s national security tariff actions as part of the farm bill debate.
“The farm bill is open for amendments,” the Kentucky Republican said.
“What I’ve counseled my members is, whether this is going to be an uncomfortable vote or not, why don’t we just have a policy internally we’re not going to block each other’s votes,” McConnell said. “Now, the other side can block votes.”
McConnell noted his concerns about the effects of the steel and aluminum tariffs on his home commonwealth, where Toyota operates a large manufacturing facility. He also referenced retaliatory tariffs that are raising the cost of Kentucky Bourbon.
The majority leader made his remarks at a breakfast event hosted by Politico.
“I simply don’t know whether there’s going to be a vote on the Corker proposal,” McConnell said. “I don’t object to having the vote, but I don’t know at the beginning of this process what’s going to happen.”
Watch: Corker Chastises Fellow Republicans for Blocking His Tariff Amendment
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President Donald Trump’s trade policy, including steel and aluminum tariffs, could be put to the test on the Senate floor this week.
