Ever since the White House floated a plan to funnel a $12 billion bailout to farmers hit by Donald Trump's tariff policy, Senate Republicans have been in a more open revolt against Trump than at any time since he first took office. Several bills are currently in process in the upper chamber that would restrict Trump's ability to impose new tariffs, and some of their sponsors, such as Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, have otherwise been major Trump allies.
But House Republicans are simply too afraid to counter Trump, no matter what kind of havoc his misinformed policies wreak on the economy. They're more intent on doing behind-closed-doors diplomacy with the administration and argue Trump would only veto any legislation that puts a check on his power anyway. Politico writes:
The president responds better to carrots than sticks, they say — and, privately, many of them fear his wrath heading into the thick of election season.
In fact, many House Republicans are downright hostile to the idea of reining in Trump.
“Let the Senate pass it,’” House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions of Texas quipped of an anti-tariff bill circulating in the Senate.
“Ask them how they expect the president to sign it,” House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway of Texas added.
So whatever damage Trump manages to do to the economy, don't expect Republicans to do anything about it. They're too beholden and spineless to counter the man-child in the Oval Office.
No wonder voters keep telling pollsters they want a check on Trump—Republicans prove weekly, if not daily, that they are entirely incapable of performing their constitutional duties as a co-equal branch of government.