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Why won’t Congress exercise its power?

Five Republicans voted with Democrats to block Trump’s tariffs. This proves Congress can act. So why not use that same power to deal with hunger, health care costs or different wars? New York Times Pheels Editor, Kathleen Kingsbury, explains.

A lot happened this week. “Melissa came ashore unlike other hurricanes.” “Ordering the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing.” “Indiana joins statewide gerrymandering fray.” “It was rebuilt in a for-profit company.” Here is one thing you should not miss. On Tuesday, the Senate voted to block tariffs on Brazil, which have contributed to high prices for coffee, beef and bananas. Therefore the President does not have the power to announce tax rates. Trump made it possible by declaring a national emergency over the summer. “What do you think of when you think of an emergency? You think of war, hurricane, famine. You don’t think of trade policy.” But what is remarkable here is the vote of the senate, which was 52 to 48. That means five Republicans have joined Trump’s tariffs, why not show some backbone in protecting millions of Americans from going hungry? “SNAP benefits for millions of Americans are about to be suspended.” Preventing health care costs from affecting 20 million Americans. “You can see the price they’re paying is a 75 percent increase.” Stopping soldiers on burning boats without saying anything and killing people when Congress didn’t declare war. “This is the sixth US warship to strike in international waters, killing at least 29 people.” He uses their powers of observation to prevent abuse by the organization’s organizations. “Federal Agents Descend in Halloween Parade in Chicago.” The answer can only be that the DRME Republicans are okay with such things, because they have the power to stop them and they don’t just do it. Remember, the founders gave Congress very limited governmental powers, including the power of the treasury, the power of war and the power to regulate foreign trade. They wanted Congress to be the most prominent branch. Today, it is weak. But it is their choice. And the fact that the Senate found enough backbone to block Trump’s tariffs only shows how well they’ve done in the last nine months. It’s true that what we see from the main branch can be shocking, but what we don’t see from the summit should be terrifying.

Five Republicans voted with Democrats to block Trump’s tariffs. This proves Congress can act. So why not use that same power to deal with hunger, health care costs or different wars? New York Times Pheels Editor, Kathleen Kingsbury, explains.

By Kathleen Kingsbury, Lauren Dominguez chan and Stephanie Shen

November 1, 2025

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