¶ Valadao Repeatedly Voted To Protect Trump’s Broad Tariffs Despite Talking About Their Negative Effects
¶ Valadao Consistently Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs Despite Acknowledging The Role Congress Had To Play
¶ March 2025: Valadao Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Valadao Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Valadao voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the bill that would provide for Congressional disapproval of, and nullify, a December 2024 IRS rule related to gross proceeds reporting by brokers involved in digital asset sales. The rule imposed reporting requirements, beginning in 2027, on non-custodial barkers who participate in the decentralized digital asset market. It also required brokers to file information returns and provide payee statements reporting gross proceeds from certain digital asset sales and transactions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 292 to 132. [House Vote 71, 3/11/25; Congressional Quarterly, 3/11/25; Congressional Actions, H.J. Res. 25]
- The Bill Effectively Blocked The House From Voting To Reverse Trump’s Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, And China For The Next Year. According to the New York Times, “Republican leaders on Tuesday slipped language into a procedural measure that would prevent any resolution to end the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China from receiving a vote this year. It passed on party lines as part of a resolution that cleared the way for a vote later Tuesday on a government spending bill needed to prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The Bill Nullified A Law That Would Allow The House And Senate To End A Disaster Declared By The President. According to the New York Times, “In this case, Republican leaders did so using a particularly unusual contortion: They essentially declared the rest of the year one long day, nullifying a law that allows the House and Senate to jointly put an end to a disaster declared by the president.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The National Emergencies Act Required Consideration Of Resolutions Ending A Presidentially Declared Emergency Within Fifteen Calendar Days But Republican Leadership Included A Measure In The Bill Declaring The Rest Of The Year Did Not Constitute A Calendar Day. According to the New York Times, “The national emergency law lays out a fast-track process for Congress to consider a resolution ending a presidential emergency, requiring committee consideration within 15 calendar days after one is introduced and a floor vote within three days after that. But the language House Republicans inserted in their measure on Tuesday declared that, ‘Each day for the remainder of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day’ for the purposes of the emergency that Mr. Trump declared on Feb. 1.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
¶ April 6, 2025: Valadao Claimed He Would Probably Support Bacon’s Bill To Return Tariff Authority To Congress But Defended The Use Of Tariffs
Valadao Claimed He Would Probably Support Bacon’s Bill To Return Tariff Authority To Congress. According to Washington Examiner, "Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) said he would support a bill to restore tariff power to Congress after President Donald Trump announced sweeping levies against nearly every country last week. Valadao joined Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) in calling for the legislative branch to be the one to decide on tariffs. Bacon is drafting a bill that mirrors legislation in the Senate to restore congressional authority over tariffs. ‘It probably is,’ Valadao told NewsNation’s The Hill Sunday when asked whether he could support such a bill. ‘I need to take a little bit better look at it.’ ‘I’ve already heard the speaker is… not supportive of it, obviously, but it is something that should be considered,’ Valadao continued, referencing Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). ‘I’ve always been someone who supports giving power back to the Congress, the way our founding fathers originally designed.’ Valadao noted that overseeing tariffs ‘is one of those powers that belongs in the Congress, and we should be looking at that in, I think, a very serious manner.’" [Washington Examiner, 4/6/25]
Valadao Claimed He “Absolutely” Thought There Was A Place For Tariffs To Level The Playing Field. According to The Hill, "Valadao said he’s hearing a range of opinions from constituents on Trump’s tariffs. The House Republican said he ‘absolutely’ thinks there’s a ‘place for them to be used in the proper way,’ noting, ‘We want a level playing field.’ ‘From my perspective, I think they should be used as a tool to get to a level playing field. I won’t speak for the administration on this front, but obviously, I think that we can compete on a level playing field with almost anyone in the world. We just have to make sure we’re able to get there,’ he said." [The Hill, 4/6/25]
- Valadao Said He Understood The Desire For Tariffs As He Used To Lobby For Them As A Dairy Farmer. According to LA Times, "As a dairy farmer himself, Valadao said he used to lobby lawmakers for tariffs against countries whose labor standards or regulations differed from the U.S., making it harder for American companies to compete. ‘They’re competing with me at the grocery store shelf, and it was frustrating,’ Valadao said. ‘I think [tariffs] should be used as a tool to get to a level playing field.’" [LA Times, 4/7/25]
¶ April 9, 2025: Valadao Claimed Congress Should Play A Role In Tariff Decision Making And On The Same Day Was The Deciding Vote To Prevent Congressional Oversight Of Trump’s Tariffs
April 9, 2025: Valadao Claimed Tariffs Were Useful But Congress Should Play A Role. According to Sacramento Bee, "Valadao, a dairy farmer deeply involved in trade issues, is sympathetic. ‘The fact is, some countries benefit from unfair trade advantages, and I believe targeted tariffs can be a useful tool to level the playing field. That said, I think Congress should play a role in decisions like this as our Founding Fathers intended,’ he told The Bee." [Sacramento Bee, 4/9/25]
April 9, 2025: Valadao Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Valadao voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “adoption of the rule (H Res 313) that would provide for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 budget resolution. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 216 to 215. [House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Speaker Johnson Backed The Move, Claiming Trump Has “Executive Authority” And That The Tariffs Are “In The Interest Of The American People.” According to ABC News, “House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the move, telling reporters, ‘I've made it very clear I think the president has executive authority. It's an appropriate level of authority to deal with the unfair trade practices. That's part of the role of the president is to negotiate with other countries.’ Johnson said Trump told him Tuesday night that ‘there are almost 70 countries that are [in] some stage in negotiation of more fair-trade agreement agreements with the United States. I think that is in the interest of the American people. I think that is an ‘America First’ policy that will be effective, and so we have to give them the space to do it.’” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
- The Vote Was The Second Use Of The Procedural Tactic To Block Votes On The Tariffs, The First Use Of It Being In March. According to ABC News, “House Democrats, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., moved to force a vote on Tuesday on terminating the national emergency authority and blocking Trump's sweeping tariffs. Now, that vote is unlikely to occur. This is the second time Johnson has moved to stop the legislative calendar to prevent votes on Trump's authority on tariffs. Under House rules, these votes would typically come up within 15 calendar days but now will not if the ‘rule’ passes during the vote series Wednesday afternoon.” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
¶ If One “Aye” Vote Had Switched To A “No” On House Vote 94 The Measure Would Have Failed Instead Of Passing
The Measure Considered In House Vote 94 Passed By A Vote Of 216 “Ayes” To 215 “Nos,” Which Meant If One Aye Vote Had Switched To A No Vote, The Measure Would Have Failed.
[House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313; Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
¶ May 2025: Despite Acknowledging Concerns From Farmers, Valadao Thanked Secretary Of Agriculture Rollins For The Work On Tariffs
Despite Acknowledging The Hurt Farmers In His District Were Facing Already, Valadao Thanked Secretary Rollins For The Trump Administrations Tariffs. In a hearing with Secretary of the Department of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, Valadao said, "VALADAO: Thank you. Thank you, Secretary Rollins, for making some time for us today. I appreciate you being here. Um, I'll talk a little bit about tariffs quickly. Since the reciprocal tariff announcement last month, there have been several officials that have stressed that need to how these tariffs are going to play out. Um, we have heard that it could take weeks or months, uh, to understand the impact moving forward and many farmers and exporters in my district have already lost some business or contracts due to trade uncertainty. Um, and as we harvest this summer, there is some more concern as you I'm sure are well aware. ROLLINS: Yes. VALADAO: Has the department had any conversations about standing up any trade assistance program for the impacted farmers as this plays out? ROLLINS: We have and the conversations are continuing. Our goal is that it won't be necessary that these trade deals are moving so quickly and not one trade deal with China, but dozens and dozens. When the president says we're in conversations with more than 100 countries, that's actually true and -- and a really important point in all this. But having said that, if it is necessary, we will ensure the president has made very clear that he's got the farmers and ranchers backs and we will step up, stand up a program again if necessary. VALADAO: Before my time in office as a farmer, I used to come here quite a bit and knock on a lot of members of Congress's doors and I would complain about the unfair trade practices that we used to deal with on a regular basis. So it is nice that it is being addressed. So, thank you." [House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration Hearing with Brooke Rollins, 5/7/25]
¶ September 2025: Valadao Voted Again For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Valadao Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Valadao voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the resolution [that] would allow for the tolling (the pausing of counting) of days for resolutions of inquiry from Sept. 30, 2025 through March 31, 2026. It also would provide that each day during the period from April 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026. would not constitute a calendar day for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's April 2, 2025 executive order declaring a national emergency regarding tariffs on imported goods. The resolution also would provide that during the period for March 11, 2025 through March 31, 2026, would not constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency executive order declared by President Trump on Feb. 1, 2025. Such an executive order concerned tariffs on many Canadian and Mexican imports and Chinese goods. The resolution also would provide that the provisions of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act would not apply through March 31, 2026 to a joint resolution terminating the national emergency.” The vote was on the rule. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 268, 9/16/25; Congressional Quarterly, 9/16/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 707;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Support Was Won From GOP Holdouts Through A Promise Of A Vote Later In The Week To Shorten The Block To End In January Rather Than March. According to Politico, “GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then.” [Politico, 9/16/25]
¶ February 10, 2026: Valadao Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs
2026: Valadao Effectively Voted To Block Floor Votes On Terminating Tariffs Enacted Through Trump’s 2025 Executive Orders. In February 2026, Valadao voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the rule (H Res 1042) providing for floor consideration of the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act (HR 2189), the Undersea Cable Protection Act (HR 261), and the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (HR 3617). […] It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump's 2025 tariff actions under the Feb. 1, April 2, July 30, and Aug. 6 executive orders by providing that each day during the period from Feb. 10, 2026 through July 31, 2026, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The House rejected the rule by a vote of 214 to 217. [House Vote 60, 2/10/26; Congressional Quarterly, 2/10/26; Congressional Actions. H.Res. 1042]
- The Provision Was Added To A Rule Opening Debate On Three Unrelated Bills. According to Reuters, “Lawmakers voted 217-214 to derail the plan to bar tariff challenges through July 31, with three Republicans joining 214 Democrats in opposition. The prohibition was included in a measure intended to open debate on three unrelated bills.” [Reuters, 2/11/26]
- The House Adopted A Rule In March Of Last Year Barring Tariff Challenges That Expired In January Resulting In Speaker Johnson Calling Another Extension, Through This Rule, “Necessary.” According to Reuters, “Earlier in the day, Johnson told reporters that he expected the measure to pass the House, calling it necessary in view of an expected Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the tariffs. House Republicans first adopted a rule barring tariff challenges last March and later extended it through January.” [Reuters, 2/11/26]
- The Rule That Barred Tariffs Challenges Did Not Consider Days As “Calendar Days”, Blocking Democrats From Repealing Trump’s Declared National Emergency That Allowed For His Broad Tariffs. According to the Hill. “Trump declared national emergencies as a basis for implementing his broad-based global tariffs, as well as specific tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. The National Emergencies Act dictates that Congress can use joint resolutions to repeal a national emergency, and outlines procedures to expedite that action after a certain number of calendar days. Multiple times last year, GOP leaders inserted language into procedural rule legislation to not count a ‘calendar day’ for the purposes of the National Emergencies Act until a specific date, blocking members from forcing action to repeal the tariffs. That prohibition expired at the end of January as GOP leaders faced resistance from Republicans. The latest attempt would have reinstated that prohibition until July 31, 2026.” [Reuters, 2/11/26]
- Johnson Delayed The Vote From 1:30 PM To 8:30 PM In An Attempt To Flip Votes. According to the Hill, “Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was unable to win over the holdouts, despite delaying the vote from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.” [Hill, 2/10/26]
¶ February 11, 2026: Valadao Voted Against Terminating Trump’s Tariffs On Canada
2/11/26: Valadao Voted Against Terminating Tariffs On Canada. In February 2026, Valadao voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the joint resolution that would terminate the Feb. 1, 2025, national emergency that imposed tariffs on goods from Canada.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the joint resolution by a vote of 219 to 211. [House Vote 65, 2/11/26; Congressional Quarterly, 2/11/26; Congressional Actions. H.J. Res. 72]
¶ Tariffs Negatively Impacted Californian Farmers And Businesses
Tariffs Hurt California Farm Exports. According to Los Angeles Times, "Even before the war, California’s farmers were struggling due to the disruption caused last year by Trump’s tariffs, which hit farmers hard as trading partners responded with their own duties. California is the largest agricultural state in the nation as measured by the value of its crops, which topped $60 billion for the first time in 2024 — and it was hit with corresponding big losses last year. The value of the top 13 state agricultural products exported to China — including almonds, pistachios and dairy — fell in aggregate by 64%, or $1 billion, in 2025, according to a recent UC Davis estimate." [Los Angeles Times, 3/29/26]
- 2018: Valadao Committed That He Would Ensure U.S. Trade Policies Benefit Californians Because Of How Critical Trade Was To Farmers. According to Bakersfield Californian, "As a politician with an agricultural background, Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, represents a lot of growers in his district. Sometimes Valadao finds himself walking a thin line between hard-right conservatives in his own party and moderate Blue Dog Democrats on the other side of the aisle. Trump's leanings toward a protectionist trade policy may have placed Valadao again in the precarious middle. ‘The Central Valley produces billions of dollars in agriculture products each year,’ Valadao said in a statement Monday. ‘Ensuring United States' trade policies and agreements boost American exports and benefit American workers, manufacturers, farmers, and job creators, especially those here in California, is absolutely critical. I will continue working to ensure our trade policies best serve the interests and prosperity of the Central Valley.’" [Bakersfield Californian, 3/6/18]
An Economist At The American Farm Bureau Federation Said Tariff Disruptions Raise The Question Of How To Keep Farmers In Business. According to Los Angeles Times, "Faith Parum, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the rise in fertilizer and diesel prices follows last year’s tariff-related trade disruption and several years of natural disasters, including droughts and freezes. ‘How do we make sure that we keep farmers in business? Because it is a matter of national security and food security,’ she said." [Los Angeles Times, 3/29/26]
Businesses Across Southern California Were Impacted By Tariffs. According to Los Angeles Times, "The tariffs dealt a blow to a large swath of businesses in Southern California and across the state, including farmers, automakers, home builders, tech companies and apparel retailers. […] Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the decision should be good news for the larger U.S. economy and businesses on the ‘front line’ of the trade wars, such as transportation, distribution, agriculture and retail. ‘If the president lets the Supreme Court decision stand and doesn’t try to replace the tariffs, that’s a plus for the economy — but that’s not what’s going to happen,’ he said." [Los Angeles Times, 2/20/26]
Tariffs Hurt Manufacturers Across California. According to KCRA, "The past year, filled with uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariffs, was destabilizing for manufacturers across the state. California has more manufacturers than any other state in the nation. In an interview on California Politics 360, Lance Hastings, the president and CEO of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, noted the industry is an important part of the global economy that relies on certainty in order to make decisions. ‘We can't make financial decisions in a 60-day time frame; we need five-year, 10-year windows,’ Hastings said. ‘It's been a whipsaw because a lot of our supply chains are international, some are domestic.’" [KCRA, 3/1/26]
- Tariffs Impacted Aerospace And Technology Manufacturers. According to KCRA, "When asked if the tariffs helped spur more production of products in California, Hastings replied by saying tariffs tend to interrupt the system, and there needs to be a bigger conversation about stabilizing trade. Hastings said aerospace and technology manufacturers have been hit the hardest. He said the uncertainty over tariffs is increasing costs in the state." [KCRA, 3/1/26]
¶ Valadao Previously Acknowledged The Negative Impacts Of Trump’s Broad Tariffs On Californians
Valadao Acknowledged The Negative Impacts Of Trump Tariffs And Said He Was “Hopeful” They Worked. According to David Valadao on KERO, “VALADAO: It’s something we’ve wanted Congress to be active on and we’ve wanted the president to be active on a long time. This president has taken a totally different approach than anything any of us would have ever expected, but it’s actually an approach that even some farmers pushed for. I remember listening to farmers going to Washington and saying these countries are putting subsidies on their product—the European Union for example—and saying, why don’t we just tariff that amount? Whatever they subsidize we tariff so we can level the playing field. This President is looking a little bit different, he’s taking his approach. Obviously, we are hopeful it works, but it is having a negative impact in the short term right now.” [KERO (ABC), 8/15/18] (video)
Valadao Claimed Tariff Aid Was Insufficient To Overcome The Harms To California Farmers. According to San Franciso Chronicle, "Valadao, who has spoken to Vice President Mike Pence and Perdue, told The Chronicle that ‘these broad tariffs are having serious consequences on farmers.’ While the aid package ‘will provide interim relief for some farmers,’ Valadao said, ‘we must recognize that this is not a long-term solution.’" [San Francisco Chronicle, 8/1/18]
Valadao Sent A Letter To The Administration Urging Them To Reverse Broad Tariffs Due To Impacts On California Farmers. According to a press release from Rep. Jimmy Panetta, "In response to recent actions taken by China concerning U.S. agricultural products, U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) sent a letter to United States Trade Representative, Mr. Robert Lighthizer, expressing his grave concerns. In an effort to combat unfair trade practices committed by China, President Donald Trump directed the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to impose a twenty five percent tariff on steel imports and a ten percent tariff on aluminum imports on March 8, 2018. However, in retaliation, China imposed $3 billion worth of tariffs on more than eighty U.S. agriculture products. Congressman David Valadao stated, ‘Agriculture drives the American economy and is the backbone of the Central Valley's economy. Not only do the proposed tariffs fail to adequately remedy China's unfair practices, such tariffs seriously jeopardize our farmers' access to export markets, which accounts for roughly twenty percent of their production.’ He continued, ‘While advancing equitable trade policies between foreign nations and the United States is critical, implementing such tariffs will have a long-lasting negative impact on hardworking Central Valley farmers who are already struggling.’" [Press Release – Rep. Jimmy Panetta, 5/9/18]