U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd was one of six Republicans who voted with Democrats on Wednesday to rescind tariffs on Canada.
The resolution passed on a 219 to 211 vote. The other Republicans who crossed party lines were Kentucky’s Thomas Massie, California’s Kevin Kiley, Nebraska’s Don Bacon, Pennsylvania’s Brian Fitzpatrick, and Washington’s Dan Newhouse. One Democrat, Jared Golden of Maine, voted with Republicans.
In a statement, Hurd said he is concerned about how these tariffs are affecting his constituents in western and southern Colorado.
“Agricultural producers in my district already operate on tight margins in volatile global markets," he said. "Retaliatory tariffs add pressure to their exports and supply chains.”
Hurd also said his vote was grounded in the Constitution, Article I of which grants Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to levy tariffs.
The tariffs on Canada were announced a year ago and are based on a presidential declaration of a national emergency.
Oil and gas are the biggest products imported from Canada into Colorado, according to reporting in the Colorado Sun.
In his statement, Hurd said, “When trade policy becomes unpredictable, it affects payrolls, investment decisions, and long-term planning.”
The resolution rescinding the tariffs is considered largely symbolic. If it passes the Senate, it’s likely that President Trump will veto it.
Gail Binkly is a career journalist who has worked for the Colorado Springs Gazette and Cortez Journal, and was the editor of the Four Corners Free Press, based in Cortez.