Sen. Ruben Gallego Boasts About Using Filibuster To Block Trump Agenda After Campaigning To Abolish It
'realize he loves the legislative filibuster'
Vance casts tiebreaking Senate vote after Republicans join Democrats to tank Trump's tariffs
The Senate failed to pass a resolution Wednesday night that would have halted President Donald Trump's tariffs after Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.
Three Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Rand Paul of Kentucky, bucked their party and sided with 46 Democrats in favor of passing the resolution. The remaining 49 Republicans voted against it, resulting in a 49-49 tie that Vance broke.
Murkowski and Paul, who have defied their party in the past, argued that Trump did not have the constitutional authority to impose these tariffs.
'Trump's ongoing trade war has been a focal point for his critics over the last few weeks.'
"Bilateral trade deficits do not constitute a national emergency, nor do they qualify as an 'unusual and extraordinary' circumstance needed to unlock authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act," Murkowski said in a statement. "We have a lot more work to do to reclaim Congress's constitutional power over tariffs, but this resolution is a step in the right direction."
"The Constitution clearly states that Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse," Paul said in a statement. "All new taxes (which is what a tariff is) are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives before going to the Senate for approval."
Trump's ongoing trade war has been a focal point for his critics over the last few weeks. With market uncertainty and ongoing trade negotiations, the GDP experienced a contraction in the first quarter.
Although the latest GDP report may have some warning signs on its face, former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve Richard Clarida argued that the figures were distorted by tariffs, and the administration pointed to several positive economic indicators in the report.
"It's no surprise the leftovers of Biden's economic disaster have been a drag on economic growth, but the underlying numbers tell the real story of the strong momentum President Trump is delivering," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Wednesday.
"Robust core GDP, the highest gross domestic investment in four years, job growth, and trillions of dollars in new investments secured by President Trump are fueling an economic boom and setting the stage for unprecedented growth as President Trump ushers in the new golden age," Leavitt said.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Top Democratic senator announces retirement after 44 years in Congress
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who serves as the Democratic whip, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
The 80-year-old senator was first elected to the Senate in 1996 after serving in the House since 1982. After 44 years in Congress, Durbin announced on his social media that it was "time to pass the torch."
'Even Chuck Schumer's sidekick is joining the long list of retiring Senate Democrats who don't want to be affiliated with MS-13 sympathizers and apologists or so-called men who invade women's spaces.'
"The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy," Durbin said. "I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term."
"I have given more than half of my life to House and Senate congressional service, and I’ve always tried to stand up to power on behalf of the people of Illinois and our country," Durbin added. "I am proud of what I have achieved and hope my record will speak for itself."
Durbin's imminent departure was welcomed by Republicans, who have long opposed his political track record. Nick Puglia, the regional press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, points out that Durbin is just the latest Democrat to retire as the party becomes increasingly radical.
"Even Chuck Schumer's sidekick is joining the long list of retiring Senate Democrats who don't want to be affiliated with MS-13 sympathizers and apologists or so-called men who invade women's spaces," Puglia told Blaze News.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Schumer to block Trump's top judicial nominees
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Wednesday that he will prevent the Senate from advancing President Donald Trump's nominations.
Schumer argued that Trump intends to use the justice system for political gain, despite the president himself being the target of government weaponization for the last decade.
Since Schumer lacks enough senators to block nominees through a vote, he will instead invoke a lesser-known tactic.
“Donald Trump has made clear he has no fidelity to the law and intends to use the Justice Department, the U.S. attorney offices and law enforcement as weapons to go after his perceived enemies,” Schumer said in a statement. “Such blatant and depraved political motivations are deeply corrosive to the rule of law and leaves me deeply skeptical of Donald Trump’s intentions for these important positions.”
Although Schumer has decided to lead the charge and thwart Trump's nominees, the Democrats have not yet been successful in their efforts. Thanks to the Republican majority, all of Trump's nominees have been confirmed, even those who were subjected to aggressive backlash and behind-the-scenes lobbying campaigns.
Since Schumer lacks enough senators to block nominees through a vote, he will instead invoke a lesser-known tactic.
Senate leaders like Schumer typically rely on senators to approve confirmations for judicial nominees from their states, waiting to advance the confirmation until they receive a "blue slip" signaling the senator's approval.
Schumer, who represents New York, will refuse to return the "blue slips," which would allow the confirmation process to begin for Jay Clayton, who was nominated to serve as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Joseph Nocella Jr., who was nominated to be lead prosecutor in the Eastern District.
Republicans are now forced to weigh their options. In the past, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, abandoned the "blue slip" practice for circuit court nominees during Trump's first administration. Since then, the Senate has upheld the practice for other nominees, and Grassley has signaled that he will honor the precedent for U.S. attorney nominees.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Today's top stories
www.theblaze.com