¶ Overview
- Miller voted six times to protect the tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect them, even though they made things more expensive for Ohio businesses, hurt 18% of Ohio manufacturers, and caused massive layoffs across the country. Consumer products like coffee, sugar, and appliances got as much as 33% more expensive after 100 days of Trump’s tariffs.
- Even after it was clear how Trump’s tariffs and trade policy devastated Ohioans, Miller sent a letter to the Trump Administration that commended their ongoing trade efforts.
¶ Miller Backed Trump’s Tariffs While They Made Life Harder For Ohioans
¶ MILLER HAS REPEATEDLY VOTED TO PROTECT TRUMP’S TARIFFS
¶ February 2026: Miller Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2026: Miller Effectively Voted Against Terminating Tariffs On Canada. In February 2026, Miller 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: Miller Effectively Voted To Block Floor Votes On Terminating Tariffs Enacted Through Trump’s 2025 Executive Orders. In February 2026, Miller 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: Miller Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Miller Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Miller 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: Miller Cast The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Miller Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Miller 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: Miller Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Miller Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Miller 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: Miller Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Miller 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, Miller 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]
¶ TRUMP’S TARIFFS INCREASED PRICES FOR OHIO BUSINESSES AND CONTRIBUTED TO LAYOFFS
Cleveland Businesses Have Seen Prices Double As A Result Of Trump’s Tariffs. According to News 5 Cleveland, "Tariffs have been a big topic of discussion since President Trump took office. And now, the Supreme Court has ruled against some of those tariffs. Right here in Cleveland, businesses say they’re hurting because of the increased cost of imported goods. Inside Ohio City is Larder, a Jewish delicatessen where co-owner Jeremy Umansky isn’t happy about the added charges he’s seeing. He’s been importing koji spores—a plant seed used for culinary molds—from Japan since the restaurant opened nearly ten years ago. But now, tariffs are nearly doubling the price. Skip Ad The video player is currently playing an ad. ‘This, roughly, costs me about $260 U.S., and I had a tariff payment of $423 and change just to release this to me,’ said Umansky. As a chef, Umansky prides himself on using unique, top-quality ingredients—ingredients that are now even harder to get. ‘No, you can't find them domestically at all,’ Umansky continued. ‘The intention for a great food based business to create the highest quality and most delicious things there are, and when you limit the pool of what people have to do that without having infrastructure here to replace that want and desire you see, see things start to crumble.’ He’s not alone. Christopher Feran, a coffee consultant and owner of Aviary, said he’s feeling the increase as well—this time with coffee. He says Americans drink about 800 times more coffee than is produced in the United States. About 30% to 40% of that coffee comes from Brazil, which is now facing a 50% tariff. ‘When your critical supply chains are cut off or suddenly become more expensive, we have to find coffee from elsewhere in the world, and the supply just simply doesn't exist anywhere else,’ said Feran. Leaving buyers with little choice but to pay the added cost. ‘Well, we buy in container loads, so I’m buying 40,000 pounds at a time. If I’m paying $150,000 for a container of coffee, then suddenly my tariff is $75,000,’ Feran said. " [News 5 Cleveland, 3/5/26]
In Northeast Ohio, The Price Of Products Like Coffee, Sugar, And Appliances Had Risen 18-33% As A Result Of Trump’s Tariffs. According to Cleveland.com, “Nearly a year after cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer began tracking the prices of 100 everyday household items, the latest check shows a mixed picture for Northeast Ohio shoppers. Some big-ticket items have fallen sharply, while several household basics — from coffee to diapers — continue inching upward. The Price Patrol project launched in April 2025 after President Donald Trump’s imposed sweeping tariffs, most of which were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February. Last spring, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer recorded baseline prices at Walmart, Giant Eagle, Lowe’s and Amazon for 100 common household items suggested by readers who subscribe to Chris Quinn’s From the Editor text messages. Prices were checked again in October and revisited this month to see how costs have changed. Some electronics saw the steepest swings. An LG 50-inch 4K TV at Walmart dropped to $248, down from $318 in October and $298 when the project began. Several everyday products saw modest increases over the year. A 12-ounce jar of Folgers instant coffee at Walmart rose from $10.84 to $12.84, and Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil climbed slightly to $5.24. [...] Some pantry items edged higher. Giant Eagle’s 4-pound bag of sugar rose 33%. [...] Meanwhile, appliances remained noticeably higher than last spring. A Frigidaire refrigerator tracked in the project rose from $549 to $679, and a Whirlpool washer now costs $518, up from $498.” [Cleveland.com, 3/25/26]
18% Of Ohio Manufacturers Reported Having Lost Sales Due To Trump’s Tariffs. According to Signal Cleveland, "Tariffs have affected the sales of one-third of Ohio manufacturers, with a higher percentage of companies being hurt by the tax than benefitting from it, according to a report released today by MAGNET, a Cleveland-based nonprofit focused on strengthening the industry. The ‘Tariffs and Turbulence’ report is based on a survey of nearly 270 CEOs and other leaders from a cross section of Ohio manufacturing companies. The survey gives a breakdown of the 33% of manufacturers whose sales were affected by tariffs. Eighteen percent lost sales while 15% saw an increase in sales. At first glance, the numbers don’t seem that far apart. Then compare the average loss in sales to the average gain. The survey shows the losses are deeper than the higher gains. The average loss in sales was 16%. Companies that benefitted from tariffs had an average gain of 9%. MAGNET has done an annual survey of manufacturers for years. This year the nonprofit decided to focus on tariffs since manufacturing is among the industries that was projected to be most affected by the tax, said President and CEO Ethan Karp. The survey was a way to get some numbers on the impact of tariffs. " [Signal Cleveland, 11/19/25]
¶ Trump’s Tariffs Contributed To “Mega-Layoffs” Across The United States
October 2025: Employers Cut 153,000 Jobs In A Series Of “Mega-Layoffs.” “’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.’ (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Recent layoffs, the data shows, have been concentrated in technology, retail, service and warehousing jobs. Employers announced more than 153,000 job cuts last month, a 183 percent increase from the month before, marking the worst October for layoffs since 2003, the Challenger report said.” [Washington Post, 11/6/25]
- Bloomberg Reported Corporations Have Cited Tariffs As A Reason For Layoffs. “US companies announced the most job cuts for any October in more than two decades as artificial intelligence reshapes industries and cost-cutting accelerates, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. … Others are focused on removing layers of management, reducing the hangover from the pandemic-fueled hiring bloat and protecting profit margins from the added costs of tariffs. While many expected increased levies to drive up prices, many employers have absorbed the price increases and instead chosen to cut costs from labor and other parts of their businesses.” [Bloomberg, 11/6/25]
¶ REGARDLESS OF THE EFFECTS ON OHIOANS, MILLER STILL PRAISED TRUMP’S TRADE POLICY
June 24, 2026: Miller Joined Some Of His Colleagues In Sending A Letter To Top Trade Officials That “Commends The Trump Administration For Ongoing Efforts In Trade Negotiations And Advocates For Robust Market Access On Behalf Of American Farmers, Ranchers, And Manufacturers.” According to a press release from Rep. Adrian Smith’s Office, "Today Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led 54 of their colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The letter commends the Trump administration for ongoing efforts in trade negotiations and advocates for robust market access on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers. In the letter, the members wrote: We write to you to express our strong support for ongoing trade negotiations to level the playing field for American producers and manufacturers. President Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of certain reciprocal tariffs creates momentum to secure meaningful and enforceable agreements for U.S. agricultural producers, energy producers, and manufacturers. …Certain barriers may require long-term negotiations. However, we are confident in your ability to utilize this 90-day pause to come to agreements that can benefit all American industries while providing opportunity for continued dialogue. There are pressing trade issues, including digital services taxes, import quotas, and tariff reduction, which we cannot delay addressing. American manufacturers, producers, and consumers are eager for the long-term certainty trade agreements provide. This certainty could prevent the decline of commodity prices, recover global market share, and unleash American industry to counter global competitors. Further, bilateral agreements which address both tariff and non-tariff barriers provide opportunities to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and increase international collaboration, all of which would reassert the United States’ global leadership and combat China’s malign influence. Read the full letter here. Representatives who joined Smith and Daines in sending the letter include: Max Miller (R-OH), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mike Bost (R-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Ron Estes (R-KS), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Sam Graves (R-MO), James Baird (R-IN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Troy Downing (R-MT), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), David Kustoff (R-TN), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Keith Self (R-TX), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), James Comer (R-KY), Mike Flood (R-NE), Eric Crawford (R-AR), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Tony Wied (R-WI), Robert Latta (R-OH), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and French Hill (R-AR). " [Press Release – Rep. Adrain Smith, 6/24/26]