Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) indicated Tuesday that the Senate won’t try to use legislation to halt President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, noting it’s improbable the president would sign such a bill.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) indicated Tuesday that the Senate won’t try to use legislation to halt President Trump ‘s steel and aluminum tariffs, noting it’s improbable the president would sign such a bill.
« I like to use floor time in the Senate for things that actually have a chance to become law…. I think it’s highly unlikely we would be dealing with that in a legislative way, » McConnell said.
Trump announced late last week that he would slap steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum despite days of public pleas and frantic behind-the-scenes work from congressional Republicans for him to back down.
McConnell added on Tuesday that the chances Trump would support such a bill are « remote at best. »
« Well on the trade issue… the administration pretty much has ball control. The thought that the president would sign a bill that would undo actions he’s taken strikes me as remote, » he said.
Republicans are widely opposed to the tariffs. But McConnell, his leadership team and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) have signaled they will try to get the administration to narrow the financial penalties instead of halting them.
McConnell added that there is « a lot of concern » within the caucus, and members are continuing to talk to the administration.
