¶ Overview
- Crank claimed he was “not a giant fan” of tariffs because of the cost increases they created, but has voted to protect them anyway. When asked for his opinion on Trump administration actions over the first few months of his presidency, including tariffs, Crank said he would give the president an “A.” He then voted six times to defend Trump’s tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect the tariffs. Tariffs have raised costs on Colorado small businesses and the state Treasurer said they had cost Colorado businesses $1.1 billion in 2025. They also amounted to a $1,000 tax increase on Americans.
¶ Crank Backed Trump’s Tariffs Even Though They Amounted To A Tax Increase On Coloradans
¶ crank claimed he was “not a giant fan” of tariffs because they increased costs on coloradans, but supported trump using them anyway
¶ December 2024: Crank Claimed He Was “Not A Giant Fan” Of Tariffs Because They Ultimately Increased Costs On Products
December 2024: Crank Claimed He Was “Not A Giant Fan” Of Tariffs Because They Ultimately Increased The Cost Of Products, But Understood What President Trump Was Trying To Do. According to Colorado Newsline, "Trump has said he will impose sweeping 25% tariffs on major American trade partners including Mexico, Canada and China as part of his efforts to bring down the cost of living. Economic experts say Trump's proposals will hurt American families' wallets with more expensive cars, appliances and technology. Crank said he is 'not a giant fan' of tariffs as they ultimately increase the cost of products, but he said he understands how Trump is using 'the threat of tariffs to get a good deal and to get other countries to come to the bargaining table.'" [Colorado Newsline, 12/28/24]
¶ 2025: Crank Backed Trump’s Use Of Tariffs And Handling Of The Economy
March 2025: When Asked For His Opinion On Trump Administration Actions Over The First Few Months Of His Presidency, Including Tariffs, Crank Said He Would Give The President An “A.” According to an interview with Jeff Crank on Forbes Newsroom, “INTERVIEWER: I would love to dive into what the president and his administration has been up to over the past month or so and get your reaction. Obviously, there’s a laundry list of actions and measures that the administration and the president himself have enacted in the past month. Here’s just a list of a few: he signed executive orders on immigration and border security, we’ve seen cuts and layoffs through the DOGE department, […] tariffs were used as negotiating tactics and also slapped on China, […] What are your thoughts overall on the administration’s first moves? CRANK: Well, I first of all would give him an ‘A’. If I had to grade the president, I would give him an ‘A’. I think he’s doing a great job.” [Forbes Newsroom, 3/3/25] (video)
Crank Defended Trump’s Use Of Tariffs As A Negotiating Tactic. According to an interview with Jeff Crank on Forbes Newsroom, “CRANK: When it comes to tariffs and things like that, you know the president often times has used them, you know you say this in Colombia and other places, where he’s used them as a bargaining chip and said ‘look if you don’t come to the bargaining table with us were going to impose this tariff.’ And you see time and time again that people have come to the table and come and cut a deal.” [Forbes Newsroom, 3/3/25] (video)
August 2025: Crank Claimed He Did Not Support Long-Term Tariffs, But Touted Trump For “Effectively” Using Tariffs. According to Colorado Politics, "The fissures showed up on the subject of tariffs. Crank initially said that, as a supporter of free trade, he didn't favor long-term tariffs, but he backed President Donald Trump's efforts because tariffs are necessary for encouraging manufacturing and to close the trade deficit. ‘This president has very effectively used tariffs to get to the negotiating table,’ Crank said. He noted the trade deal with the European Union, which he said would bring hundreds of millions of dollars in investments. If one is, indeed, using tariffs, then that person cannot publicly admit to only doing it to get a better deal, he said." [Colorado Politics, 8/13/25]
¶ crank Voted six times to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
¶ February 2026: Crank Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2026: Crank Effectively Voted Against Terminating Tariffs On Canada. In February 2026, Crank 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: Crank Effectively Voted To Block Floor Votes On Terminating Tariffs Enacted Through Trump’s 2025 Executive Orders. In February 2026, Crank 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: Crank Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Crank Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Crank 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: Crank Cast The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Crank Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Crank 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: Crank Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Crank Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In March 2025, Crank 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: Crank Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Crank 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, Crank 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]
¶ Trump’s Tariffs Were hurting colorado Small business owners and ranchers
HEADLINE: "Colorado Cost Of Living: State Is Now 3rd Most Expensive In U.S., And Residents Feel The Strain" [Gazette, 5/16/26]
HEADLINE: “Colorado Businesses Concerned About Increased Costs, Supply Chain Issues As A Result Of Tariffs, Report Finds” [Post Independent, 12/1/25]
- A Survey Done By The Colorado Office Of Economic Development And International Trade Found That Colorado Businesses Were Feeling Significantly More Challenges Than Benefits As A Result Of Trump’s Tariffs. According to the Post Independent, "The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade conducted interviews with businesses across ‘a variety of sectors such as construction, retail, bioscience, technology, manufacturing and energy,’ according to the report. The agency asked businesses about both the challenges and impacts of tariffs, finding that challenges accounted for 86% of the impact, while benefits accounted for 14%." [Post Independent, 12/1/25]
HEADLINE: “State Treasurers Says Tariffs Continue To Create Chaos In Colorado” [Colorado Public Radio, 4/1/26]
- 2025: Colorado Businesses Paid $1.1 Billion In Tariffs. According to the Colorado Public Radio, "Colorado businesses paid $1.1 billion in tariffs in 2025, according to state treasurer Dave Young. Tariffs in Colorado are the highest in more than a century, Young said during a conference call for journalists with fiscal officers from other states. The costs are rippling across the state’s economy from agriculture and construction to energy and aerospace, he said." [Colorado Public Radio, 4/1/26]
HEADLINE: "Tariff Whiplash Leaves Colorado Businesses Facing Higher Costs And Fewer Answers" [Denver 7, 2/21/26]
One Colorado Springs Restaurant Owner Said, “We Are Definitely Feeling It,” In Response To Trump’s Tariffs. According to KOAA, "We spoke with Gary Geiser, the owner of King’s Chef Diner in Colorado Springs, to hear firsthand how rising prices are impacting local businesses. Geiser explained that his suppliers have already started increasing prices in anticipation of the tariffs. ‘We’ve slowly started already seeing some increases coming our way,’ Geiser said. ‘Whether the tariff from the item coming across the border is already going to get increased, or the local vendor will raise their prices to capture those higher costs, we are definitely feeling it.’" [KOAA (NBC), 4/2/25]
Colorado Springs Coffee And Ice Cream Shop Said The Cost Of Coffee, Chocolate, Ice Creams, And Eggs Increased As A Result Of Tariffs. According to KRDO, "A local ice cream and coffee shop in Colorado Springs reports feeling the effects of rising costs from the changes in global tariffs. President Donald Trump recently announced a 15% global tariff after the Supreme Court struck down the President's previously imposed trade tariff. Jake Norment is the owner and operator of the Caffeinated Cow on 8th Street. After the first round of tariffs went into effect, he says the cost of his African coffee beans increased dramatically, forcing him to find new suppliers in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, which lowered the cost but also affected the coffee's taste. ‘For customers who really appreciate that coffee, if we can't keep a good dark roast for them, the impact on us is that they leave and don't get coffee somewhere else,’ Norment says. ‘What has changed for us is the managing to keep the costs down, and keep our doors open.’ It’s not just coffee. The cost of chocolate ice cream and eggs for his breakfast burritos also went up. ‘Per tub that we buy, we are paying 15% more because there is a tariff on chocolate. Eggs went up by 50% within 90 days. That went up from $50 to about $175 for a case of eggs just for a case.’" [KRDO, 2/25/26]
Expert Said Tariff Costs Were Largely Passed On To Customers Through Higher Prices And There Was No Mechanism To Return Those Funds To The People Who Ultimately Played A Part In Absorbing The Costs. According to KKTV, "However, for everyday consumers, the picture is less direct. [Director of UCCS Economic Forum Joe] Craig notes that tariff costs were largely passed on to customers through higher prices at the time they were imposed. Because of that, there’s no mechanism to return those funds to the people or other business parties, that ultimately played a part in absorbing the cost. ‘If you’re an end-run consumer, you’re not getting any of that back,’ Craig said. ‘They just passed on that higher price to you, and none of that’s coming back to you.’" [KKTV, 4/20/26]
HEADLINE: “Colorado Springs Rancher Says Importing Argentine Beef Could Hurt US Ranchers” [KKTV 11, 10/25/25]