¶ Overview
Mackenzie defended Trump’s tariffs and claimed they were a good concept. Then, he voted four times to protect the tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect them, dooming Pennsylvania families who relied on him to a trade war and rising prices. Tariffs are contributing to higher food prices and Pennsylvania businesses are warning they may have to raise prices.
When Mack Trucks announced that it would be laying off hundreds of workers at its Lehigh Valley operations center as a result of the tariffs, instead of standing up to Trump and calling to stop the tariffs, Mackenzie criticized the company that was struggling from the uncertainty of Trump’s policies.
¶ Mackenzie Was The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs, Which Resulted In Layoffs In The Lehigh Valley
¶ Mackenzie Defended Trump’s Use of Tariffs
HEADLINE: "Lehigh Valley Rep. Ryan Mackenzie Defends Tariffs, DOGE, Economic Outlook At CNN Town Hall" [Morning Call, 4/11/25]
Mackenzie Claimed Tariffs Were A Good Concept That A Lot Of People Agreed With. According to an interview Ryan Mackenzie gave on CNN, "REP. RYAN MACKENZIE (R-PA): Well, when we talk to small businesses, particularly on tariffs, they are looking for a resolution, but they're looking for a free and fair playing field out there. And so the concept is good. It's what I think a lot of people agree with." [CNN, News Central, 5/2/25]
4/10/25: Mackenzie Defended Trump’s Tariff Policy. According to Lehigh Valley News, "U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie went to bat for the Trump administration during a town hall event on CNN Thursday night, defending Elon Musk and the president's economic policies during the 90-minute prime time program. […] Mackenzie defended Trump's tariff strategy, saying America needed to fight back against nations who have imposed barriers on American corporations overseas. ‘American industry has been hollowed out for decades because of unfair trade practices from places like China. I think we are actually in a position right now, as a country, to finally address this challenge,’ Mackenzie said." [Lehigh Valley News, 4/11/25]
- 4/2/25: Mackenzie Claimed Businesses Were Prepped For The Tariffs And Had “Already Been Anticipating Something Like This.” According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, "U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican who represents the Lehigh Valley, said he has heard from some constituents concerned about the impact of Trump's tariffs, but said many businesses have started bracing for the coming change. ‘I heard from one business yesterday that they started changing their supply chains and moving things around in potential anticipation of something like this,’ Mackenzie said. ‘So I know there is volatility in the market, and I think that leads to then uncertainty of what products does it apply to and at what rate. But at the same time, a lot of people have already been anticipating something like this.’" [Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/2/25]
3/6/25: Mackenzie Believed Tariff Discussions Should Continue And “For Far Too Long [Tariffs Have] Actually Been Ruled Out.” According to an interview Ryan Mackenzie gave on Bloomberg, “MACKENZIE: We shouldn’t take tariffs off the table, they are an important tool in our tool box of economic policy, across the country, for far too long they’ve actually been ruled out. And so I think it’s appropriate that you put them on the table.” [Bloomberg, 3/6/25] (video)
¶ Mackenzie Repeatedly Voted to Protect Trump’s Tariffs
¶ September 2025: Mackenzie Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Mackenzie Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Mackenzie 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: Mackenzie Was The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Mackenzie Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Mackenzie 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: Mackenzie Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Mackenzie Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Mackenzie 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: Mackenzie Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Mackenzie Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Mackenzie 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]
¶ Mackenzie Criticized Mack Trucks After They Blamed Layoffs on Trump’s Tariffs
4/17/25: Mack Trucks Said It Was Laying Off Between 250 And 350 Workers In Lehigh Valley Due To Market Volatility And Tariffs
4/17/25: Mack Trucks Announced, Over The Next Three Months, It Would Lay Off Between 250 And 350 Workers At Its Lehigh Valley Operations Center. According to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, "Mack Trucks will lay off between 250 and 350 workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations center outside Allentown over the next three months, due to economic uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs, a company spokesperson said Thursday." [Pennsylvania Capital-Star, 4/17/25]
Mack Trucks Spokesperson Said Heavy-Duty Truck Orders Were Negatively Affected By Market Uncertainty About Rates And Demand And The Impact Of Tariffs. According to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, "Mack Trucks will lay off between 250 and 350 workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations center outside Allentown over the next three months, due to economic uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs, a company spokesperson said Thursday. ‘Heavy-duty truck orders continue to be negatively affected by market uncertainty about freight rates and demand, possible regulatory changes, and the impact of tariffs,’ spokesperson Kimberly Pupillo said." [Pennsylvania Capital-Star, 4/17/25]
Mackenzie Criticized Mack Trucks For Laying Off Workers And Tried To Shift The Blame From The Trump Administration
Mackenzie Criticized Mack Trucks For Laying Off Workers “Despite Being Awarded Hundreds Of Millions Of Taxpayer Dollars Under The Previous Administration.” According to Lehigh Valley News, "‘I'm disappointed to hear of Mack Trucks’ decision to lay off workers after several quarters of weakening growth and despite being awarded hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars under the previous administration,’ Mackenzie said in an email to LehighValleyNews.com. ‘I'm particularly disappointed that they have opted to do so on the heels of last year's decision to build new plants in Mexico instead of in our region. ‘Lehigh Valley workers are among the best in the world, and I will continue to support policies that put American workers first and attract good paying jobs to our region.’" [Lehigh Valley News, 4/17/25]
- HEADLINE: "Mack Trucks Announces Layoffs At Lehigh Valley Plant, Blames Tariffs" [Pennsylvania Capital-Star, 4/17/25]
- Mackenzie: "I Will Continue To Support Policies That Put American Workers First And Attract Good Paying Jobs To Our Region." According to Lehigh Valley News, "‘I'm disappointed to hear of Mack Trucks’ decision to lay off workers after several quarters of weakening growth and despite being awarded hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars under the previous administration,’ Mackenzie said in an email to LehighValleyNews.com. ‘I'm particularly disappointed that they have opted to do so on the heels of last year's decision to build new plants in Mexico instead of in our region. ‘Lehigh Valley workers are among the best in the world, and I will continue to support policies that put American workers first and attract good paying jobs to our region.’" [Lehigh Valley News, 4/17/25]