- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Six House Republicans Break Ranks on Canada Tariffs
Bipartisan vote signals GOP divisions over Trump's trade policy toward Canada
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
In a high-profile vote, six House Republicans joined Democrats in challenging President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports, exposing deep divisions within the GOP over trade policy. The measure does not immediately dismantle existing tariff measures, but it represents a formal congressional challenge to the president's trade authority.
Why it matters
Canada is one of the United States' largest trading partners, and tariffs on Canadian goods have had significant economic consequences for industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. The bipartisan vote reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about the impact of trade disruptions on their constituents, even as the president has framed the tariffs as necessary tools to protect American industries.
The details
The House vote seeks to restrict or cancel certain executive actions related to the Canada tariffs. While largely procedural at this stage, it represents a symbolic challenge to the president's trade authority. The six Republican lawmakers who broke ranks cited economic pressures in their districts, where farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses have felt the impact of the tariffs. The vote also reignites a longstanding constitutional debate over the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch on trade policy.
- The House vote took place on February 12, 2026.
The players
Donald Trump
The President of the United States who initially imposed the tariffs on Canadian imports.
Thomas Massie
A Republican House member who voted against the president's trade policy toward Canada.
Don Bacon
A Republican House member who voted against the president's trade policy toward Canada.
Kevin Kiley
A Republican House member who voted against the president's trade policy toward Canada.
Jeff Hurd
A Republican House member who voted against the president's trade policy toward Canada.
Brian Fitzpatrick
A Republican House member who voted against the president's trade policy toward Canada.
Dan Newhouse
A Republican House member who voted against the president's trade policy toward Canada.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The Senate would need to advance similar legislation, and the president retains veto power. If Congress is able to pass a bill restricting the president's tariff authority, the president could still veto it.
The takeaway
The House vote highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party over trade policy, as well as the broader constitutional debate over the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch on issues of international commerce. The economic impact of the Canada tariffs on key industries and constituencies has emerged as a significant political factor, even within the president's own party.
