An 'abuse' of power: Republicans split as Congress hands more control over to Trump

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's tariff policy, and particularly his aggressive push against Canada following an unflattering ad aired by the Ontario provincial government, has triggered a mixed reaction from Senate Republicans, some of whom sought to defend him — but many others of whom either walked a fine line or had outright criticisms.

One of the biggest defenders of the president's policies was outgoing Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

“What do you make of people saying that you guys are ceding your tariff power to the White House?” Raw Story asked him. "You're not buying that?”

“No. We got the authority, because we have the House and the Senate and the White House,” said Tuberville. “I'm all in. Free trade.” As Tuberville entered an elevator in the Capitol building, he seemed to correct himself and shouted back, "Fair trade!"

Raw Story also asked Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) about the Canadian ad specifically, as he represents a state directly on the northern border.

“Canada's biggest trading partner is Montana ... and we're thankful that when we look north, we see Canada,” Daines said. “We've got a really strong relationship with Canada, and, you know, there's a few trade differences that we've got to keep working out.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), one of Trump's most consistent critics on the tariff issue, told Raw Story, “I will vote to end the emergency. Emergencies are like war, famine, tornadoes. Not liking someone's tariffs is not an emergency. It's an abuse of the emergency power, and it's Congress abdicating their traditional role in taxes.”

He is currently co-sponsoring a bill to rein in Trump's tariff power with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA).

“Taxes are supposed to originate in the House, so I will continue to vote to end those,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who similarly has become more outspoken as a critic of the Trump administration as he prepares to retire from office, told Raw Story, “I've had a big concern about the Brazil one, particularly, since we have a trade surplus with them."