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The United States House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would roll back President Donald Trump\u2019s tariffs on Canada, a signal of growing willingness among Republicans to break with his administration.<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s vote saw several Republicans cross party lines to vote with Democrats.<\/p>\n
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The final tally saw 219 votes in favour of ending Trump\u2019s use of emergency powers to slap tariffs on Canada. A minority, comprised of 211 representatives, voted against the bill.<\/p>\n
It was a rare rebuke from Congress\u2019s lower chamber, where the Republican Party holds a 218-seat majority.<\/p>\n
Before the vote, Democrats challenged their Republican colleagues to defy Trump, who has come to dominate the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s vote is simple, very simple: Will you vote to lower the cost of living for the American family or will you keep prices high out of loyalty to one person, Donald J Trump?\u201d said Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, who authored the resolution.<\/p>\n
The vote comes as the US enters its pivotal midterm election season. Primaries begin in March, and the general election unfolds in November.<\/p>\n
All members of the House of Representatives will be on the ballot in their respective districts.<\/p>\n
Faced with Trump\u2019s drooping approval rating, Republican representatives have faced the uncomfortable choice of either bucking his less-popular policies or remaining steadfast, despite possible blowback at the ballot box.<\/p>\n
Trump, meanwhile, threatened to derail the election prospects of any Republican who voted in favour of Wednesday\u2019s bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries,\u201d Trump wrote<\/a> on social media in the lead-up to the vote.<\/p>\n He also accused Canada \u2013 one of the US\u2019s biggest trading partners and closest allies \u2013 of mistreating its southern neighbour.<\/p>\n