¶ Overview
- Finstad praised Trump’s tariffs, claiming they were the “shake-up needed” to get foreign nations to the negotiation table. Then, he voted six times to protect the tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect them, dooming Minnesota families who relied on him to a trade war, causing the price of hockey gear to skyrocket and paralyzing Minnesota businesses. Tariffs contributed to higher food prices and “mega-layoffs” across the nation.
¶ Finstad Defended Tariffs That Raised Prices On Minnesotans
¶ Finstad repeatedly voted to protect trump’s tariffs
¶ February 2026: Finstad Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2026: Finstad Effectively Voted Against Terminating Tariffs On Canada. In February 2026, Finstad voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the joint resolution that would terminate the Feb. 1, 2025, national emergency that imposed tariffs on goods from Canada.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the joint resolution by a vote of 219 to 211. [House Vote 65, 2/11/26; Congressional Quarterly, 2/11/26; Congressional Actions. H.J. Res. 72]
2026: Finstad Effectively Voted To Block Floor Votes On Terminating Tariffs Enacted Through Trump’s 2025 Executive Orders. In February 2026, Finstad voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the rule (H Res 1042) providing for floor consideration of the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act (HR 2189), the Undersea Cable Protection Act (HR 261), and the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (HR 3617). […] It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump's 2025 tariff actions under the Feb. 1, April 2, July 30, and Aug. 6 executive orders by providing that each day during the period from Feb. 10, 2026 through July 31, 2026, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The House rejected the rule by a vote of 214 to 217. [House Vote 60, 2/10/26; Congressional Quarterly, 2/10/26; Congressional Actions. H.Res. 1042]
- The Provision Was Added To A Rule Opening Debate On Three Unrelated Bills. According to Reuters, “Lawmakers voted 217-214 to derail the plan to bar tariff challenges through July 31, with three Republicans joining 214 Democrats in opposition. The prohibition was included in a measure intended to open debate on three unrelated bills.” [Reuters, 2/11/26]
- The House Adopted A Rule In March Of Last Year Barring Tariff Challenges That Expired In January Resulting In Speaker Johnson Calling Another Extension, Through This Rule, “Necessary.” According to Reuters, “Earlier in the day, Johnson told reporters that he expected the measure to pass the House, calling it necessary in view of an expected Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the tariffs. House Republicans first adopted a rule barring tariff challenges last March and later extended it through January.” [Reuters, 2/11/26]
- The Rule That Barred Tariffs Challenges Did Not Consider Days As “Calendar Days”, Blocking Democrats From Repealing Trump’s Declared National Emergency That Allowed For His Broad Tariffs. According to the Hill. “Trump declared national emergencies as a basis for implementing his broad-based global tariffs, as well as specific tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. The National Emergencies Act dictates that Congress can use joint resolutions to repeal a national emergency, and outlines procedures to expedite that action after a certain number of calendar days. Multiple times last year, GOP leaders inserted language into procedural rule legislation to not count a ‘calendar day’ for the purposes of the National Emergencies Act until a specific date, blocking members from forcing action to repeal the tariffs. That prohibition expired at the end of January as GOP leaders faced resistance from Republicans. The latest attempt would have reinstated that prohibition until July 31, 2026.” [Reuters, 2/11/26]
- Johnson Delayed The Vote From 1:30 PM To 8:30 PM In An Attempt To Flip Votes. According to the Hill, “Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was unable to win over the holdouts, despite delaying the vote from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.” [The Hill, 2/10/26]
¶ September 2025: Finstad Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Finstad Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Finstad voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the resolution [that] would allow for the tolling (the pausing of counting) of days for resolutions of inquiry from Sept. 30, 2025 through March 31, 2026. It also would provide that each day during the period from April 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026. would not constitute a calendar day for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's April 2, 2025 executive order declaring a national emergency regarding tariffs on imported goods. The resolution also would provide that during the period for March 11, 2025 through March 31, 2026, would not constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency executive order declared by President Trump on Feb. 1, 2025. Such an executive order concerned tariffs on many Canadian and Mexican imports and Chinese goods. The resolution also would provide that the provisions of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act would not apply through March 31, 2026 to a joint resolution terminating the national emergency.” The vote was on the rule. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 268, 9/16/25; Congressional Quarterly, 9/16/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 707; Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Support Was Won From GOP Holdouts Through A Promise Of A Vote Later In The Week To Shorten The Block To End In January Rather Than March. According to Politico, “GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then.” [Politico, 9/16/25]
- September 2025: House Republicans Voted In Favor Of A Measure That Effectively Blocked ChFinstadges To Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026, With The Intent Of Changing The Length Of Time To January 2026. According to Politico, "House Republicans voted in near lockstep Tuesday to again cede congressional power over tariffs to President Donald Trump. A measure that effectively blocks challenges to Trump’s sweeping global tariff declarations through March 2026 was adopted on a 213-211 vote. The vote was gaveled down only after GOP whips had a drawn-out struggle on the floor with a band of Republicans who initially opposed the legislation before flipping to yes. The vote was held open for more than a half-hour as they worked to bring the members back on board. GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then." [Politico, 9/16/25]
¶ April 2025: Finstad Cast The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Finstad Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Finstad voted for, “adoption of the rule (H Res 313) that would provide for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 budget resolution. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 216 to 215. [House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Speaker Johnson Backed The Move, Claiming Trump Has “Executive Authority” And That The Tariffs Are “In The Interest Of The American People.” According to ABC News, “House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the move, telling reporters, ‘I've made it very clear I think the president has executive authority. It's an appropriate level of authority to deal with the unfair trade practices. That's part of the role of the president is to negotiate with other countries.’ Johnson said Trump told him Tuesday night that ‘there are almost 70 countries that are [in] some stage in negotiation of more fair-trade agreement agreements with the United States. I think that is in the interest of the American people. I think that is an ‘America First’ policy that will be effective, and so we have to give them the space to do it.’” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
- The Vote Was The Second Use Of The Procedural Tactic To Block Votes On The Tariffs, The First Use Of It Being In March 2025. According to ABC News, “House Democrats, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., moved to force a vote on Tuesday on terminating the national emergency authority and blocking Trump's sweeping tariffs. Now, that vote is unlikely to occur. This is the second time Johnson has moved to stop the legislative calendar to prevent votes on Trump's authority on tariffs. Under House rules, these votes would typically come up within 15 calendar days but now will not if the ‘rule’ passes during the vote series Wednesday afternoon.” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
¶ If One “Aye” Vote Had Switched To A “No” On House Vote 94 The Measure Would Have Failed Instead Of Passing
The Measure Considered In House Vote 94 Passed By A Vote Of 216 “Ayes” To 215 “Nos,” Which Meant If One Aye Vote Had Switched To A No Vote The Measure Would Have Failed.
[House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
¶ April 2025: Finstad Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Finstad Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Finstad voted for, “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 313) that would provide for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the previous question. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 217 to 212. [House Vote 93, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313]
¶ March 2025: Finstad Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Finstad Voted To Disapprove An IRS Rule That Established Reporting Requirements For Digital Asset Proceeds And To Effectively Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Finstad voted for, “the bill that would provide for Congressional disapproval of, and nullify, a December 2024 IRS rule related to gross proceeds reporting by brokers involved in digital asset sales. The rule imposed reporting requirements, beginning in 2027, on non-custodial brokers who participate in the decentralized digital asset market. It also required brokers to file information returns and provide payee statements reporting gross proceeds from certain digital asset sales and transactions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 292 to 132. [House Vote 71, 3/11/25; Congressional Quarterly, 3/11/25; Congressional Actions, H.J. Res. 25]
- The Bill Effectively Blocked The House From Voting To Reverse Trump’s Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, And China For The Next Year. According to the New York Times, “Republican leaders on Tuesday slipped language into a procedural measure that would prevent any resolution to end the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China from receiving a vote this year. It passed on party lines as part of a resolution that cleared the way for a vote later Tuesday on a government spending bill needed to prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The Bill Nullified A Law That Would Allow The House And Senate To End A Disaster Declared By The President. According to the New York Times, “In this case, Republican leaders did so using a particularly unusual contortion: They essentially declared the rest of the year one long day, nullifying a law that allows the House and Senate to jointly put an end to a disaster declared by the president.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The National Emergencies Act Required Consideration Of Resolutions Ending A Presidentially Declared Emergency Within Fifteen Calendar Days But Republican Leadership Included A Measure In The Bill Declaring The Rest Of The Year Did Not Constitute A Calendar Day. According to the New York Times, “The national emergency law lays out a fast-track process for Congress to consider a resolution ending a presidential emergency, requiring committee consideration within 15 calendar days after one is introduced and a floor vote within three days after that. But the language House Republicans inserted in their measure on Tuesday declared that, ‘Each day for the remainder of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day’ for the purposes of the emergency that Mr. Trump declared on Feb. 1.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
¶ Finstad Claimed That Trump’s Tariffs Were The “Shake-Up Needed” To Bring Nations To The Negotiation Table
4/16/25: Finstad Defended Trump’s Tariffs, Claiming They Were The “Shake-Up Needed To Get People Back To The Table.” According to the Post Bulletin, “GOP Congressman Brad Finstad defended President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs against other countries, arguing that Trump was seeking to address an uneven playing field between the U.S. and other countries that had long been neglected. ‘There was a shake-up needed to get people back to the table,’ Finstad said during a 45-minute interview at the Post Bulletin, referring to the sweeping ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs imposed last week on allies and adversaries around the world. The move rattled stock and bond markets.” [Post Bulletin, 4/16/25]
- Finstad Claimed The Tariffs Showed The U.S. Was Serious About Addressing Trade Barriers Put Up By Foreign Nations. According to the Post Bulletin, “Finstad defended the use of tariffs against U.S. allies and trading partners, because it showed that the U.S. was serious about addressing barriers to trade that other countries had erected against the U.S. ‘There was a need to get the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam to the table,’ Finstad said. ‘If you looked at the tariffs, it was not an even playing field. So the tariff decisions he made on that day, he had 70 some countries reach out to him. He’s at 15 deals on the table right now.’ Finstad said that it would behoove the Trump administration to lock in those deals as quickly as possible to show progress, given the disruption and uncertainty the tariffs had created.” [Post Bulletin, 4/16/25]
Finstad Dodged A Question Asking About The Uneven Application Of Trump’s Tariffs And Their Impact On American Businesses. According to the Post Bulletin, “During the interview, Finstad was asked about the uneven application of Trump’s tariffs and the uneven playing field it had created among domestic businesses. […] Finstad said the question raised a bigger issue that ‘we don’t make things in this country anymore that we have become reliant on.’ ‘What are we doing as a country from a national security perspective to make sure that we still can do some of these things — whether it's pharmaceuticals, whether it's vitamins for our animal feed?’ Finstad said. ‘We have put ourselves in a 20-year slump where we don’t know how to produce that anymore. So there is a bigger conversation that has to happen about, ‘How did we get to this point?’” [Post Bulletin, 4/16/25]
Finstad Rebuffed Claims That Trump’s Tariffs Signaled The U.S. Was Abandoning Its Role As A Leader Of Free Trade, Claiming There Were National Security Reasons The U.S. Had To Reform Its Trade Policy. According to the Post Bulletin, “Some have argued that the U.S. is largely abandoning its leadership role in creating a world of rules-based globalization and free trade. The U.S. was viewed as the envy of the world in terms of economic growth compared to other developed countries. Why was it necessary to deliver the ‘shock therapy,’ as his regime of tariffs have been characterized, to the world economy and risk the possibility of recession, when the U.S. was faring well? Finstad said that narrative ignores and obscures U.S. weakness in other areas, such as manufacturing and the federal debt. He said there were national security reasons for the U.S. to reshore some manufacturing and mining activity, whether it's chips, critical minerals or energy. ‘When you look at our place in the global world, yes, you can look at different metrics and how to measure that. But for right or wrong, our adversaries see us as a weak manufacturing country that couldn’t uptick our munitions production. That we don’t have the financial backbone or wherewithal because of our $36 trillion in debt to sustain some sort of military conflict,’ he said.” [Post Bulletin, 4/16/25]
¶ Trump’s Tariffs Were Causing “Mega-Layoffs” Across The Country And “Paralysis” Among Minnesota Businesses
¶ Trump’s Tariffs Contributed To “Mega-Layoffs”
October 2025: Employers Cut 153,000 Jobs In A Series Of “Mega-Layoffs.” According to The Washington Post, “U.S. employers have announced 1.1 million layoffs so far this year — the largest reading since the pandemic recession and on par with 2008 and 2009 job cuts during the Great Recession, the firm’s figures show. The data includes a recent spate of layoffs at major companies such as UPS, Amazon and Target, and adds to growing concern about a labor market slowdown. Employers cited cost-cutting and artificial intelligence as the top two reasons for job reductions in October. ‘We’re entering new territory with these layoffs in October,’ said John Challenger, CEO of the consulting firm that tracks job losses. ‘We haven’t seen mega-layoffs of the size that are being discussed now — 48,000 from UPS, potentially 30,000 from Amazon — since 2020 and before that, since the recession of 2009. When you see companies making cuts of this size, it does signal a real shift in direction.’” [Washington Post, 11/6/25]
- Trump’s Tariffs Were One Of The Reasons For The Increase In Layoffs. According to The Washington Post, “The spike in October layoffs, up 175 percent from a year ago, runs counter to recent trends, Challenger said. Although companies have typically avoided announcing job cuts at the end of the year, that seems to be changing this year as firms face new financial pressures and uncertainty from tariffs, federal funding cuts and emerging technologies.” [Washington Post, 11/6/25]
¶ Tax Foundation Found Trump’s Tariffs Amounted To A $1,000 Tax Increase On Americans In 2025
Tax Foundation Found Trump’s Tariffs Amounted To A $1,000 Tax Increase On Americans In 2025 And Was Projected To Be A $1,300 Tax Increase On Americans In 2026. According to the Tax Foundation, "President Trump has imposed International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs on US trading partners, including China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU. In addition, he has threatened and imposed Section 232 tariffs on autos, heavy trucks, steel, aluminum, lumber, furniture, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and copper, among others. The Trump tariffs amount to an average tax increase per US household of $1,000 in 2025 and $1,300 in 2026." [Tax Foundation, 2/6/26]
¶ Trump’s Tariffs Raised Costs On Minnesotans And Created Confusion For Minnesota Businesses
HEADLINE: "A Year In, Trump’s Tariffs Take Toll On Minnesota Companies" [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/3/26]
HEADLINE: "Changes In Trump Tariffs Have Minnesota Consumers, Farmers And Entrepreneurs Feeling Uncertain About The Future" [ABC 5, 2/21/26]
HEADLINE: “Minnesota Farmers Fret About ‘Chaos And Uncertainty’ Following Latest Trump Tariffs” [MPR News, 3/4/25]
HEADLINE: “Trump’s New Tariffs Place Even More Stress On Minnesota Farm Economy” [Minnesota Star Tribune, 4/2/25]
Trump’s Tariffs Threatened To Raise The Price Of Hockey Gear In Minnesota. According to CBS News, “Calls from the U.S. to Roustan Hockey headquarters in Canada in recent weeks have been anything but routine, as bulk orders of name-brand sticks have suddenly become complicated conversations. ‘These customers want to know: When their orders ship, will they have to pay an additional 25% tariff? And we respond by saying, 'Well, right now we don't know, so they postpone their order or cancel their order because they want to know before they order what the cost is going to be,’ said Graeme Roustan, who owns the company that makes and sells more than 100,000 hockey sticks annually to the U.S. market. The prospect of 25% tariffs by President Donald Trump on Canadian imports, currently paused for some goods but facing full implementation on Wednesday, has caused headaches if not havoc throughout the commercial ecosystem. The sports equipment industry is certainly no exception, with so many of the products manufactured for sports-loving Americans outside of the U.S.” [CBS News, 3/31/25]
Trump’s Tariffs Caused A “Paralysis In Strategic Decision-Making” Among Many Minnesota Businesses. According to Twin Cities Business, “While Trump deployed some tariffs in his first term and talked about tariffs during the 2024 presidential campaign, the magnitude of tariffs he imposed across the world this year caught many U.S. businesses by surprise. Emily LeVasseur, president of the Association for Supply Chain Management-Twin Cities chapter, says she’s been seeing ‘a paralysis in strategic decision-making’ among several Minnesota businesses. ‘Everybody is kind of stepping back and saying, ‘OK, we need to pause. We need to let this shake out before we make any significant investments in our supply chain, in our cost structures.’ It’s really hampering decision-making because of that uncertainty,’ LeVasseur says.” [Twin Cities Business, 6/6/25]
- Many Minnesota Businesses Were Unable To Avoid Purchasing Materials From China And Were Forced To Pay Inflated Costs Due To The Tariffs. According to Twin Cities Business, “She couldn’t think of any clients who exclusively source their materials in the United States. ‘They may be buying from distributors and suppliers that are in the U.S.,’ she says. ‘But the materials they’re buying certainly come from out of the U.S. as well. In a lot of cases, it’s China. So that doesn’t save them from the tariff impacts. Their suppliers are just going to increase the prices to cover the tariffs.’ Trump stated repeatedly that he wanted his tariff strategy to force companies to do their manufacturing in the United States. But LeVasseur said that shift is hard to achieve. She cited the case of a manufacturer headquartered in Minnesota, which sells a consumer product. ‘It’s all made in China, and they own that plant,’ she says. ‘What are they going to do? Build a new plant in India? That’s two or three years probably [to build elsewhere].’” [Twin Cities Business, 6/6/25]
In Response To Trump’s Tariffs, The CEO Of A St. Paul, Minnesota Energy Company Warned, “This Is Going To Raise Costs For All Electricity Consumers.” According to MinnPost, "Minnesotans are already seeing higher prices on electronics, groceries and a host of other product categories due to the Trump administration’s sweeping import tariffs. Industry experts say electricity prices could follow. ‘We believe that this is going to raise costs for all electricity consumers,’ said Michael Allen, co-founder and CEO of St. Paul-based All Energy Solar, which installs solar, battery and EV charging systems for residential and commercial customers. On April 2, President Donald Trump announced tariffs on goods imported from nearly every country, including manufacturing powerhouses China, Vietnam and Mexico, with exemptions for hundreds of raw materials, manufacturing inputs and finished goods." [MinnPost, 5/1/25]
- HEADLINE: “Tariffs Are Likely To Mean Higher Electricity Prices And A Minnesota Industry In ‘Limbo’” [MinnPost, 5/1/25]
HEADLINE: “Minnesota Small Businesses Struggling To ‘Survive The Tariff Crisis’” [CBS News, 5/9/25]
The Co-Owner Of Twin Cities Die Castings In Minneapolis Said He Was Forced To Freeze Hiring, Terminate 10 Contract Workers, And Increase Prices Twice Because Of Trump’s Tariffs. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, "Todd Olson , co-owner of Twin Cities Die Castings in Minneapolis, said the tariff increases create another round of the uncertainty that has plagued his metal parts components factory since Trump’s trade war began. In the past few months, supply costs surged while sales flattened. His aerospace and ag component orders have slowed. And his car-making customers are once again putting off redesigning vehicle models because of the metal tariffs, Olson said. ‘It’s like oil,’ he said. ‘Just the uncertainty of this world market with the tariffs has raised prices.’Last year, Olson added 25 workers, boosting his staff to 175. Over the past few months, he froze hiring and terminated 10 contract workers. The company also had to increase prices twice in the last 90 days, even though the thousands of tons of aluminum and magnesium he buys are all domestically sourced." [Minnesota Star Tribune, 6/6/25]
- HEADLINE: “Minnesota Factories See Orders Tank On Continued Trade Uncertainty” [Minnesota Star Tribune, 6/6/25]