If you ever wondered how low Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) might go in trying to disrupt President Trump’s agenda on negotiating better trade deals, yesterday may have provided the answer.
Fox News‘ Chad Pergram took to Twitter to cover the outgoing Senator Corker’s effort to create additional problems for President Trump on the tariff issue with legislation and even pointed out the complete lack of decorum on Corker’s part by pushing it while the president is traveling abroad.
Corker on if it was inappropriate to have the tariff vote with the President overseas: Votes kind of happen when they happen.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
It is often said that foreign policy stops at the water’s edge. It's taboo for lawmakers to criticize the President when he is overseas. But the Senate fired a salvo at Trump, voting 88-11, to assert Congressional authority on imposing tariffs on national security grounds
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
To be clear, this was very much Corker’s effort despite previously being blocked from doing anything with real “teeth” by the Senate. It was his motion after all.
Text of Corker motion today on tariffs: Mr. Corker moves that the mgrs on the part of the Senate at the conference..be instructed to include language providing a role for Congress in making a determination under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
Corker has been blocked not once but twice before, making yesterday’s efforts little more than another futile attempt to garner attention.
Even though the Senate voted 88-11 on the non-binding motion on tariffs, unclear if senators would vote for something with teeth. Corker says legislation is next. The Senate's twice blocked Corker to have a vote on an amdt on how Trump can impose tariffs
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
Several solid conservatives opposed the effort, as well.
All 11 nays on tariff motion were GOPers: Barrasso, Capito, Crapo, Enzi, Graham, Heller, Hyde-Smith, Inhofe, Perdue, Risch & Scott
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
But even that wasn’t enough to stop Corker from trying to blow his own horn.
Corker on motion on tariffs: We will continue to push for a binding vote and are hopeful one will be scheduled in the near future.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
Corker: The Senate spoke loud and clear by overwhelmingly expressing support for our efforts to ensure Congress plays its appropriate role in the implementation of national security-designated tariffs. Tariffs are a tax on the American people
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
Corker says 88-11 Senate tariff vote shows “there’s strong support for placing a check on the President, abusing his role…What the President is doing was absolutely wrong…this was a test vote to show the level of support."
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 11, 2018
Corker even railed for the cameras, calling it “an abuse of presidential authority.”
However, as CNBC points out, there’s likely little Corker and company can do to derail Trump’s agenda in the end, making his effort more show, than dough and mostly toothless, as well:
Congressional Republicans who oppose the Trump administration’s mounting trade conflicts around the globe appear increasingly helpless as the president threatens more tariffs on top trading partners.
As a trade war with China could widen and damage a broader swath of the U.S. economy ahead of November’s midterm elections, GOP lawmakers hold little leverage over a president intent on cracking down on alleged unfair trade tactics.
Facing the prospect of a presidential veto, Senate Republican leaders have not yet taken up a bipartisan proposal to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to impose tariffs. On Wednesday, the chamber overwhelmingly approved a “motion to instruct” related to Trump’s authority to levy duties — which recommends a course of action, but does not compel the president to make any move. The chamber backed it by an 88-11 margin.
