Wed Feb 25 02:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Trump’s Tariff Push Threatens to Fracture GOP Unity

The Story:
Former President Donald Trump’s push to codify his tariff regime is creating deep divisions within the Republican Party, potentially derailing efforts to pass another reconciliation bill. Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling limiting his executive trade authority, Trump is expected to advocate for tariffs during his State of the Union address, pressuring Congress to act. This move has exposed a rift between Republicans who support tariffs as a revenue source and those who are skeptical of their economic and political impact, threatening to stall legislative progress on other key GOP priorities.

Key Points:

  • A growing number of House and Senate Republicans want to use budget reconciliation to codify Trump’s tariffs after a Supreme Court ruling limited his executive authority.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledges the difficulty in finding GOP consensus on tariffs.
  • Senator Bernie Moreno argues that failing to legislate tariffs would be an “indictment of the Republican Party.”
  • House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington believes any reconciliation package should codify tariff rates from Trump’s trade deals.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed skepticism about broad-based tariffs.
  • Democrats are targeting private equity ownership of housing with new legislative proposals.
  • House Majority Forward is investing $5 million more in Virginia redistricting efforts.
  • Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger is headlining the House Democratic retreat focused on affordability.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump’s continued influence within the Republican Party is evident in the push for tariff legislation.
  • Internal GOP divisions over trade policy could hinder the party’s ability to advance its legislative agenda.
  • The Democrats are focused on affordability as a key message heading into the midterms.
  • The battle over redistricting continues, with significant financial investments being made by both parties.
  • The crypto industry is actively lobbying for favorable tax treatment.

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