Post-Midterm Fractures Inside the GOP
President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies are confronting heightened skepticism from congressional Republicans after voters delivered Democrats control of Congress in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. Democrats won at least 255 seats in the House and 55 seats in the Senate. Retiring Republican Rep. Don Bacon was among six House Republicans who joined Democrats in February to vote to repeal tariffs on Canada. Bacon told CNN on November 13, 2026, that Republican lawmakers should feel greater urgency to challenge the administration's trade agenda following the midterm defeat. Asked whether his party's appetite for pushing back against tariffs had grown, Bacon replied simply, "It should." Earlier, five Senate repeal resolutions in 2025 had failed to clear Republican opposition, including from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Democrats have already pledged to make tariff rollbacks a top legislative priority when the new Congress convenes in January.
Less than two weeks before Election Day, the president exempted plywood, packaging materials, road salt, and cement from 50% duties imposed on Canadian goods over the summer. A White House official told CNN that Washington is negotiating new terms with Ottawa, potentially revising threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian cars set for January 1.
The Tax Policy Center estimated in September that tariffs under current law impose an average burden of $920 per U.S. household in 2026. Homebuilders' material costs jumped 13.3% and auto repair expenses climbed 12.3% since Trump took office. Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, meaning Democrats must secure substantial Republican backing in 2027. The Supreme Court and the Court of International Trade have already struck down certain duties, ruling the president exceeded executive authority.
