¶ Overview
- Rouzer voted six times to protect Trump’s tariffs including in April 2025, when Rouzer was the deciding vote to protect Trump’s tariffs. Rouzer even defended the tariffs from Trump’s first term and co-sponsored legislation to increase Trump’s tariff power. As a result of the tariffs, North Carolina farmers were paying more for equipment and other inputs than they were earning from crop sales. Tariffs contributed to higher food prices, struggles for small businesses, and amounted to a $1,000 tax increase on Americans.
¶ Rouzer Defended Tariffs That Raised Costs On North Carolinians And Hurt North Carolina Farmers
¶ Rouzer repeatedly voted to protect trump’s tariffs
¶ February 2026: Rouzer Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2026: Rouzer Effectively Voted Against Terminating Tariffs On Canada. In February 2026, Rouzer 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: Rouzer Effectively Voted To Block Floor Votes On Terminating Tariffs Enacted Through Trump’s 2025 Executive Orders. In February 2026, Rouzer 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.” [Hill, 2/10/26]
¶ September 2025: Rouzer Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Rouzer Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Rouzer 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]
¶ April 2025: Rouzer Was The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Rouzer Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Rouzer 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. 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: Rouzer Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Rouzer Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Rouzer voted for, “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 313) that would providing 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: Rouzer Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Rouzer Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Rouzer 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]
¶ rouzer even supported trump’s tariffs during his first term
HEADLINE: “Duffy Finds 18 Co-Sponsors For Bill To Increase Trump’s Tariff Powers.” [Politico, 1/24/19]
- 2019: Rouzer Co-Sponsored Legislation To Increase Trump’s Tariff Powers. According to Politico, “Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) introduced a bill Thursday that would give President Donald Trump expansive new power to raise tariffs in response to actions taken by other countries. […]‘The goal of the U.S. Reciprocal Trade Act is NOT to raise America’s tariffs but rather to encourage the rest of the world to lower theirs,’ Duffy said in a statement. ‘The American people deserve FREE and FAIR trade, and the Reciprocal Trade Act will be an important step in achieving that goal.’ The bill currently has 18 Republican co-sponsors, including many Trump allies. The co-sponsors are Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), Paul Cook (R-Cali.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), David McKinley (R-W.V.), Carol Miller (R-W.V.), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Duncan Hunter (R-Cali.), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Pete King (R-N.Y.), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and David Rouzer (R-N.C.).” [Politico, 1/24/19]
2018: Rouzer Supported Trump’s Tariffs And Said He Believed It Was Time For The United States “To Punch Back.” According to Star-News Wilmington, “Since January, Trump has enacted a wide variety of tariffs on China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada. They include a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports -- a move the president said was made to respond to longstanding trade imbalances, force other countries to balance trade and to boost the U.S. steel industry. ‘I think that's the prism the president views this through,’ said U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C., whose district includes the Wilmington region and who has supported Trump's position on tariffs. ‘He believes the United States has been slapped around on the playground long enough and it's time we punched back.’” [Star-News Wilmington, 8/8/18]
¶ tariffs were raising prices on north carolinians and hurting farmers
HEADLINE: "One Year Later, Tariffs 'Whipping' Some Fayetteville Small Businesses" [ABC 11, 2/4/26]
Fayetteville Auto Parts And Customization Shop Owner Said Tariffs Contributed To Prices Rising Across Their Inventory. According to ABC 11, "Hishim Bedwan, owner of Dirty South Customs on Skibo Road, said his auto parts and customization shop has also been hit hard. ‘We sell wheels, tires, suspension kits. We do window tinting, car stereo, any basically any modification wraps, all kinds of modifications for your vehicle suspension,’ Bedwan said. According to Bedwan, prices across his inventory have climbed sharply. ‘Well, we've seen an increase in costs of approximately about 25% across the board,’ he said. Higher-priced items have been affected the most. ‘Wheels and tires, electronics on the higher ticket items. That's where really we felt it, especially on the aluminum, because it reached up to 100% on the tariff,’ Bedwan said." [ABC 11, 2/4/26]
North Carolina State Ports Authority Executive Director Said The Port Of Wilmington Saw 6,600 Fewer Containers During FY 2025 Compared To The Prior Year And It Was Largely Driven By Tariff Impacts. According to WWAY, "The Trump administration said their rollout of global tariffs has narrowed the trade deficit. While the deficit is the smallest its been since 2020, the tariffs have hit home in the Cape Fear. ‘It’s been a challenging year across the board,’ said Brian Clark, executive director of North Carolina State Ports Authority. During the 2025 fiscal year, which ended in June, the Port of Wilmington saw 6,600 fewer containers than the prior year. ‘We’ve seen a downturn in container volumes largely driven by some of the impacts regarding tariffs,’ Clark said." [WWAY, 12/11/25]
HEADLINE: "Tariffs Could Wipe Out Nearly A Third Of NC Farm Income, New Report Says" [NC Newsline, 1/16/26]
HEADLINE: "Farmers Say Tariffs Are Raising Prices You’ll Eventually Pay" [News 2 (WFMY), 1/14/26]
As A Result Of Tariffs, North Carolina Farmers Were Paying More For Equipment And Other Inputs Than They Were Earning From Crop Sales. According to Axios Raleigh, "North Carolina farmers are grappling with renewed uncertainty after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of the Trump administration's sweeping global tariffs. Why it matters: North Carolina farmers of soybean and corn, the state's two biggest crops by acreage, are stuck in a cost-price squeeze that has been elevated by tariffs, said Charles Hall, the executive director of the N.C. Soybean Producers Association. In other words, farmers are paying more for equipment and other inputs — in part because of tariffs — than they're earning from crop sales. ‘There's probably even less clarity now than there was before’ on tariffs, Hall told Axios." [Axios Raleigh, 2/26/26]
HEADLINE: "NC Farmers, Food Sellers Warn That Tariffs Are Spiking Thanksgiving Dinner Prices" [WUNC News, 11/25/25]