Representatives Tom Barrett (MI-07) and John James (MI-10) have voted in favor of blocking Congress from doing something about the Trump administration's tariff policy. Both James and Barrett have already voted repeatedly in favor of keeping Republican tariffs. Additionally, Rep. Barrett voted to keep a 50% tariff on Brazil, which keeps costs high on everyday essentials like coffee and beef, which have risen in price by 21% and 16% respectively, for Michigan families.
"As a small business owner in Warren, I see firsthand how tariffs hurt our local economy," said Michael Howard II, Macomb County Commissioner and owner of Howard Family Designs. "Representatives Barrett and James had the opportunity to protect Michigan families and small businesses from policies that will drive up costs, and instead they chose to give Trump a blank check at the expense of everybody else. These tariffs will force small businesses like mine to raise prices or cut jobs, and working families will pay more for everything from groceries to clothing. Our representatives should be fighting for us, not making it easier for Washington to ignore the impact on Michigan."
This vote comes at a time when U.S. inflation skyrocketed in August, putting additional strain on working class Michiganders already struggling with high costs. Michigan families and small businesses will bear the brunt of these policies through higher prices on everyday goods and increased costs for business operations as the burden of these tariffs is transferred to them.
