Great column! But you missed one Democratic Senator who has been actively resisting: Tim Kaine. He has been using a tool available to individual Senators, even without leadership support, by bringing bills, sometimes with bi-partisan support, to the floor to reverse tariffs on some of our allies:
Canada Tariff Resolution: Kaine, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mark Warner, introduced a resolution (SJ-37) to block Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods.
This resolution passed the Senate in April 2025 with bipartisan support (51-48), with four Republicans joining all Democrats.
Kaine argued that these tariffs would harm the American economy and alienate an important ally.
However, the resolution faced an uncertain future in the House of Representatives.
Challenging Use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA): Kaine has challenged President Trump's use of IEEPA to impose tariffs, arguing that the act was not intended for such purposes.
He emphasized that IEEPA was designed to address threats from adversaries, not allies like Canada.
Legislative Efforts to Limit Presidential Tariff Authority: Kaine has introduced legislation, such as the Stopping Tariffs on Allies and Bolstering Legislative Exercise of Trade Policy Act and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act, to require congressional approval for tariffs on allies and to limit the president's ability to impose tariffs under IEEPA.
Brazil Tariff Challenge: Most recently (July 31, 2025), Kaine, along with Senators Shaheen, Schumer, and Wyden, announced their intent to challenge Trump's tariffs on Brazil, which were imposed in response to actions against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
In essence, Senator Kaine has consistently advocated for a more deliberate and collaborative approach to trade policy, aiming to prevent presidents from unilaterally imposing tariffs that could harm American businesses and consumers while damaging relationships with key allies.
nice to see folks within the Party calling out the bullshit that has been normalized. The two-party system must be abolished, both institutions are rotten to their core.
Where the fuck were you doing all this? There is a restriction on the minority in Congress, remember that? Your comment today is ridiculous so count me as a non subscriber! I’m going read columnists who concentrate on inspiring readers to get really involved in registering new voters, particularly 18 to 25s and turning them out in 16 months! Go to www.TurnUp.US to participate and it’s tax deductible. Let’s do something productive rather than just complain why the elected minority didn’t revolt as suggested above!
The Republican power structure is weakest at its base, at the local level. And local residents, numbering in the millions, have opportunities every month to speak out to demand a response to the actions of this administration.
Local officials are not just responsible for their community needs, they are also responsible for the strategic interests of residents when threats arise from outside the community.
State Sunshine laws provide opportunities to speak at every public meeting, and OperationSunshine.info provides the simple steps to preparing and delivering your message.
The PEOPLE formed this government, we have a voice, and we have the power to bring change.
Let's use Sunshine laws to demonstrate what leadership and our democracy are all about.
let me talk to em coach
Thank you for your call for the Democratic Party to toughen up, get real, and stop losing.
Great column! But you missed one Democratic Senator who has been actively resisting: Tim Kaine. He has been using a tool available to individual Senators, even without leadership support, by bringing bills, sometimes with bi-partisan support, to the floor to reverse tariffs on some of our allies:
Canada Tariff Resolution: Kaine, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mark Warner, introduced a resolution (SJ-37) to block Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods.
This resolution passed the Senate in April 2025 with bipartisan support (51-48), with four Republicans joining all Democrats.
Kaine argued that these tariffs would harm the American economy and alienate an important ally.
However, the resolution faced an uncertain future in the House of Representatives.
Challenging Use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA): Kaine has challenged President Trump's use of IEEPA to impose tariffs, arguing that the act was not intended for such purposes.
He emphasized that IEEPA was designed to address threats from adversaries, not allies like Canada.
Legislative Efforts to Limit Presidential Tariff Authority: Kaine has introduced legislation, such as the Stopping Tariffs on Allies and Bolstering Legislative Exercise of Trade Policy Act and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act, to require congressional approval for tariffs on allies and to limit the president's ability to impose tariffs under IEEPA.
Brazil Tariff Challenge: Most recently (July 31, 2025), Kaine, along with Senators Shaheen, Schumer, and Wyden, announced their intent to challenge Trump's tariffs on Brazil, which were imposed in response to actions against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
In essence, Senator Kaine has consistently advocated for a more deliberate and collaborative approach to trade policy, aiming to prevent presidents from unilaterally imposing tariffs that could harm American businesses and consumers while damaging relationships with key allies.
nice to see folks within the Party calling out the bullshit that has been normalized. The two-party system must be abolished, both institutions are rotten to their core.
Where the fuck were you doing all this? There is a restriction on the minority in Congress, remember that? Your comment today is ridiculous so count me as a non subscriber! I’m going read columnists who concentrate on inspiring readers to get really involved in registering new voters, particularly 18 to 25s and turning them out in 16 months! Go to www.TurnUp.US to participate and it’s tax deductible. Let’s do something productive rather than just complain why the elected minority didn’t revolt as suggested above!
The Republican power structure is weakest at its base, at the local level. And local residents, numbering in the millions, have opportunities every month to speak out to demand a response to the actions of this administration.
Local officials are not just responsible for their community needs, they are also responsible for the strategic interests of residents when threats arise from outside the community.
State Sunshine laws provide opportunities to speak at every public meeting, and OperationSunshine.info provides the simple steps to preparing and delivering your message.
The PEOPLE formed this government, we have a voice, and we have the power to bring change.
Let's use Sunshine laws to demonstrate what leadership and our democracy are all about.
Follow @operationsunshine for more.