On Wednesday, the US Senate narrowly rejected an effort to block President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. 

The resolution sought to revoke the national emergency declared by Trump, which imposed 10% global tariffs on all trading partners and higher reciprocal tariffs on 57 countries, including the EU. The vote ended in a 49-49 tie, as two senators—Republican Mitch McConnell and Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse—were absent. 

Despite support from three Republicans, the resolution failed due to the absence of these key votes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune ensured the effort to block the tariffs was stopped, calling for a second vote. With Vance’s tie-breaking vote, the resolution was defeated 50-49. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for maintaining the tariffs, which he argued would increase costs for middle-class American families.