This week marks the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s proclamation of April 2 as ‘Liberation Day,’ accompanied by the imposition of significant tariffs on various countries. Initially, House Republicans supported these measures, but currently, they seem reluctant to revisit the topic.
The American Journal News contacted 27 of the most vulnerable Republican congress members facing reelection this year to gauge their continued support for Trump’s tariff policies. At the time of publication, none had responded.
The hesitation may stem from the reality that, contrary to Republican assurances, the tariffs have not lowered costs. A Tax Foundation report indicates that these tariffs increased retail prices by 7% last year, affecting items such as cars, clothes, toys, and furniture.
These tariffs have been legally contested. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that Trump’s legal justification for the tariffs was unlawful. However, the possibility remains for the tariffs to be reinstated through alternative methods.
Trump has alternated between lifting and imposing new tariffs, creating a complex situation that businesses and consumers find challenging to manage.
“An international trade policy based on bullying and BS isn’t helping anyone,” stated Gabe Vasquez, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New Mexico’s 2nd District. “We can’t afford an ego-driven strategy with no endgame; it drives up costs and hurts national security.”
Among those contacted were three Republican lawmakers from Arizona: Reps. Eli Crane, Juan Ciscomani, and David Schweikert, who is now running for governor. Additionally, Rep. Gabe Evans from Colorado was approached.
Other key swing-state lawmakers who did not respond include Michigan Reps. Bill Huizenga and Tom Barrett; Pennsylvania Reps. Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, and Scott Perry; and Wisconsin Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden.
While Mackenzie has shown willingness to reconsider the tariffs, he opposed a bipartisan resolution to lift tariffs on Canada. Reps. Huizenga, Barrett, Perry, and Steil initially supported the Liberation Day tariffs, as evidenced by their past statements.
“Is there going to be some adjustments? Absolutely,” Huizenga commented in April 2025. “Is it going to be easy? Not necessarily. Is it the right thing to do? Absolutely it is.”
Bresnahan has faced scrutiny for conducting multiple stock trades around the time Trump announced the tariffs. He had pledged during his 2024 campaign to abstain from personal stock trading if elected.
Economists argue that Trump’s tariffs have worsened an affordability crisis exacerbated by inflation and corporate practices. This situation has intensified following the U.S. invasion of Iran last month, which led to gas prices exceeding $4 per gallon for the first time in three years.
“This anniversary is a reminder to the American people who’s responsible for making their lives harder,” Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene told Semafor.
Other lawmakers who did not provide a response include California Reps. David Valadao, Young Kim, and Ken Calvert; Florida Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Maria Elvira Salazar; Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr; Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner; New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr.; New York Rep. Mike Lawler; Ohio Reps. Max Miller and Mike Carey; Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles; Texas Rep. Monica De La Cruz; and Virginia Reps. Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans.
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