¶ Overview
Calvert has defended Trump’s tariffs and voted four times to protect the tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect them, dooming Southern California families who relied on him to a trade war and rising prices. Tariffs were contributing to higher food costs, higher costs for California businesses, and endangering jobs.
¶ Calvert Defended Trump’s Tariffs Even Though They Were Raising Costs On Southern Californians
¶ Calvert Defended Trump’s Use of Tariffs
Calvert Defended The Use Of Tariffs. According to the Los Angeles Daily News Editorial Board, "Rep. Ken Calvert: ‘We … must back policies that result in fair trade around the world for American businesses. Tariffs are one tool to change the behavior of our trade partners, like the Chinese who subsidize trade and manipulate their currency to create an uneven playing field.’ Nowhere in a much longer response, fully available on our website along with his colleagues’, does Calvert address congressional authority." [Editorial – Los Angeles Daily News, 11/7/25]
4/4/25: Calvert Defended Trump’s Tariffs And Claimed They Would Help The Economy Grow And Increase Opportunities For Americans. According to a post on Rep. Ken Calvert’s Twitter, "I have always fought for policies to make the U.S. a place where businesses can grow and create good jobs for American workers. Those policies include lower taxes, cutting job-killing regulations, and investing in an educated workforce. That was the policy recipe that created a strong and thriving American economy during President Trump’s first term until the pandemic shutdown our country. We also must back policies that result in fair trade around the world for American businesses. Tariffs are one tool to change the behavior of our trade partners – like the Chinese who subsidize trade to create an uneven playing field – and I hope they do so quickly. America’s trading partners must realize the status quo has changed, and they must support free and fair trade – now. I continue to believe the best way to help our economy grow and increase opportunities for Americans is through lower taxes, less government red-tape, as well as free and fair trade." [Twitter, @KenCalvert, 4/4/25]
¶ Calvert Has Repeatedly Voted to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
¶ September 2025: Calvert Voted Again To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Calvert Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Calvert 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 Challenges 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: Calvert Cast The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Calvert Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Calvert 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: Calvert Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Calvert Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Calvert 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: Calvert Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Calvert 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, Calvert 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 barkers 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]
¶ Tariffs Were Raising Costs on Southern Californians
HEADLINE: "‘Empty Shelves, Higher Prices’: Americans Tell Of Cost Of Trump’s Tariffs" [The Guardian, 10/19/25]
HEADLINE: "‘Sneakflation’: How Trump’s Tariffs Are Gradually Raising Costs For American Consumers" [CNN, 8/24/25]
As Of July 2025, Tariffs Were Projected To Cost California Businesses More Than $11 Billion. According to Axios, "The big picture: Who pays for tariffs is a long-settled issue — American businesses do, to the tune of billions of dollars, in places like California and Texas especially. Driving the news: Economic research firm Trade Partnership Worldwide shared a new analysis with Axios showing the state-by-state cost of tariffs imposed by Trump from January through May. These are presidential tariffs — that is, tariffs imposed by Trump rather than Congress, mostly this term but some dating to his first term. By the numbers: From January 1 to May 31 of this year, California faced a tariff impact of $11.3 billion, by far the highest in the country." [Axios, 7/3/25]
HEADLINE: "Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Southern California’s $300-Billion Trade Industry, Report Says" [Los Angeles Times, 4/22/25]
- Southern California’s Trade And Logistics Industry Supported Nearly Two Million Jobs, Including Directly Employing More Than 900,000 Workers. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Southern California’s trade and logistics industry in 2022 contributed nearly $300 billion in direct economic output and generated an estimated $93.3 billion in tax revenue, according to the development corporation’s report. The sector also supported nearly 2 million jobs, directly employing more than 900,000 workers with an average salary of more than $90,000, which was 26% higher than the average annual wage reported across Southern California." [Los Angeles Times, 4/22/25]
- Inland Empire Economists Said Tariffs Would Affect The Logistics Sector In The Inland Empire, Which Would Have Ripple Effects On Companies Throughout The Supply Chain. According to an op-ed written by Inland Empire Economic Partnership Chief Economist Manfred Keil and Cal State Long Beach Office of Economic Research Director Robert Kleinhenz in the Riverside Press-Enterprise, "Here in the Inland Empire and Southern California, tariffs will affect the Logistics sector most directly, with ripple effects on firms throughout the supply chain and the general economy. Inbound goods from China make up a significant portion of business at the Port of Long Beach, so even a modest reduction in the flow of Chinese imports can cause job losses through the entire supply chain. Of course, the merchants and other businesses that take delivery of the imports will face higher prices on the goods they receive." [Opinion – Riverside Press-Enterprise, 4/16/25]
- Pacific Merchant Shipping Association Said Tariffs Would Affect Everything From Furniture To Car Parts And “Everything You Buy Is Going To Either Suddenly Not Be Available Or The Price Is Going To Go Up.” According to the Riverside Press-Enterprise via Redlands Daily Facts, "At the 2025 Southern California E-Commerce and Logistics Summit conference in Pomona on Thursday, April 17, Thomas Jelenić, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, said: ‘When you compare China to the next largest trading partner, which I believe is Vietnam, China is five times the volume.’ He added: ‘Those tariffs are going to affect everything from furniture to car parts. Everything you buy is going to either suddenly not be available or the price is going to go up. And so the ripple effects that are going to happen in this economy, starting with the loss of jobs, are going to be enormous.’" [Riverside Press-Enterprise via Redlands Daily Facts, 4/20/25]
HEADLINE: "Tariffs Cast Shadow Over Inland Empire’s Economic Outlook" [CalMatters, 3/19/25]
HEADLINE: "Inland Empire Residents Stock Up On Supplies As Imports Expected To Shrink" [NBC Los Angeles, 5/1/25]
Commercial Real Estate Developers In California Canceled Projects And Were Cautious About New Development Because Tariffs Were Creating Market Uncertainty And Increasing Costs. According to the Los Angeles Times, "With tariff uncertainty reshaping global trade, the recently published Summer 2025 Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California Commercial Real Estate Survey reveals ripple effects cascading throughout California’s commercial real estate (CRE) landscape. According to the latest survey results, more than a third (36%) of developers are delaying or canceling CRE projects, citing increased construction costs and global trade tensions as key concerns. Additionally, 85% of respondents now hold a more cautious outlook on new California developments due to tariffs and supply chain disruptions, and 44% of developers expect distress levels in CRE capital markets to rise over the next year. These findings underscore how developers, investors and tenants are recalibrating in the face of escalating costs, geopolitical uncertainty and evolving demand patterns." [Los Angeles Times, 10/19/25]