116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Why Iowa Republicans voted to keep Trump’s Canada tariffs — and why Democrats say farmers will pay
Iowa Republicans defend vote to preserve Trump tariffs as Democrats argue the policy is squeezing farm margins
Feb. 12, 2026 11:17 am
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation voted against a House resolution aimed at overturning President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, drawing sharp criticism from Iowa Democrats who say the repeated votes to keep the tariffs in place are hurting the state’s farm economy and raising costs for families.
The House voted Wednesday, 219-211, to advance a resolution seeking to terminate the national emergency Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canadian goods — a rare, if largely symbolic, rebuke of the president’s trade agenda. Six Republicans joined Democrats in support of the measure, while one Democrat opposed it. Iowa’s Republican members voted no.
The resolution now heads to the Senate, but even if both chambers approve it, Trump would still need to sign it or Congress would have to override a likely veto.
The vote marked one of the first significant moments in which the Republican-controlled House confronted Trump over a signature policy. The president has defended tariffs as a negotiating tool to pressure trading partners, recently escalating tensions by threatening a 100 percent tariff on Canadian goods over that country’s proposed China trade deal.
Lawmakers backing the resolution argued the tariffs are contributing to economic strain at home. Opponents countered that Congress should allow the administration more time to pursue trade negotiations and address concerns related to illicit drug flows cited in the emergency declaration.
Iowa Republicans defend vote
Iowa U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa, who is running for re-election to a fourth term, said Democrats are politicizing trade policy.
“It’s remarkable to see Democrats suddenly discover trade policy after four years of silence while Biden-Harris fumbled on the world stage,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement to The Gazette. “I’ve always championed strong, fair trade agreements that open markets for Iowa farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses, and I know they appreciate leaders who are finally willing to take on the egregious trade practices of foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.”
She added that “real trade reform doesn’t come from procedural gimmicks” and said she remains willing to work across party lines while opposing what she called Democratic political stunts that could undermine U.S. negotiating leverage.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said she voted against the resolution to preserve the administration’s leverage in trade talks.
“I voted against this resolution because President Trump is the only one willing to level the playing field and deliver new market opportunities,” Hinson said in a statement to The Gazette. “Waiting isn’t tenable when margins are tight, our farmers’ livelihoods are on the line, and so much is out of their control.”
Hinson said reversing long-standing trade imbalances requires “strong, enforceable trade agreements that open markets for our farmers ASAP.”
“We have to deliver lasting stability for our producers and protect families here at home,” she said.
Democrats argue tariffs are raising fertilizer and other agricultural input costs, but Hinson’s campaign says she is pursuing legislation aimed at addressing price pressures in the farm economy.
Hinson deputy campaign manager Addie Lavis pointed to the congresswoman’s bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study market forces affecting fertilizer pricing and supply — including anti-dumping and countervailing duties, long-term market trends, price reporting and regulatory burdens.
Lavis also cited Hinson’s bipartisan PRECISE Act, reintroduced in November, which seeks to expand access to precision agriculture technologies through USDA conservation programs. The campaign says the measure would help farmers increase yields, lower input costs and reduce environmental impacts.
She added that a recently announced partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice and USDA aimed at protecting competition in agricultural inputs complements those efforts by addressing market concentration and cost pressures.
Democrats warn of economic fallout
Iowa Democrats and allied campaign groups argue the tariffs are having the opposite effect — squeezing farm margins, raising agricultural input costs and creating uncertainty in a state heavily dependent on exports to Canada.
The Iowa Democratic Party said the delegation’s votes amount to continued support for tariffs that are increasing fertilizer and other input costs while straining trade ties with one of Iowa agriculture’s largest export markets.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and state Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville criticized Hinson directly.
“Ashley Hinson has now voted multiple times to keep Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs in place — tariffs that have slammed Iowa farmers, squeezed our ag economy, and raised prices on hardworking families and retirees,” Wahls said. “Iowa farmers are already operating on razor-thin margins. And Iowa seniors and working families shouldn’t be paying more at the store just because politicians in Washington want to score political points.”
The Senate Majority PAC, which supports Democratic Senate candidates, said Hinson’s vote doubled down on an “unpopular policy” that it argues is driving up costs for farmers, manufacturers and households.
Hinson’s campaign counters that the congresswoman has focused on affordability through tax and health care measures.
Lavis noted Hinson supported legislation that would extend and expand tax relief for working families, roll back federal taxes on overtime pay and tips, increase the child tax credit and provide tax relief for Social Security recipients. The campaign also points to support for expanded Health Savings Account eligibility, additional funding for rural hospitals, and federal appropriations secured for Iowa housing, health care and infrastructure projects.
“Rep. Hinson will continue working across the aisle to deliver solutions to Iowans’ problems — fighting to protect consumer choice, bring down the cost of living, and reduce premiums and prescription drug costs,” Lavis said.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also criticized Miller-Meeks, citing a report from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimating Trump-era tariffs cost the average American household about $1,000 last year, with higher projected costs if tariffs remain in place.
Christina Bohannan, a Democratic congressional candidate from Iowa City running a third time to challenge Miller-Meeks, accused the GOP incumbent of prioritizing party loyalty over Iowa consumers.
“Iowans will remember how she voted four separate times to force Iowans to pay more for groceries and everyday essentials,” Bohannan said in a statement. “We need a representative in Washington who will put party politics aside and put Iowa first.”
Broader political tensions
The House vote underscores broader unease among some lawmakers over Trump’s tariff strategy, particularly as economic concerns resonate with voters ahead of fall midterm elections. Trump quickly warned Republicans against opposing his trade agenda, saying those who vote against tariffs could face primary challenges.
Iowa Democrats are tying the tariff debate to a broader agricultural message. Democratic State Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs, who is also seeking his party’s nomination in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race, said Iowa farmers are already struggling with volatile commodity prices and rising input costs.
“Iowa farmers are hurting because of this chaotic tariff policy,” Turek wrote on social media, arguing the trade approach adds instability to an already pressured farm economy.
Turek recently joined Iowa House Democrats in promoting what they call a “Regaining Iowa Farmers’ Independence Plan,” a package of proposals addressing equipment repair access, farmland ownership transparency, food labeling and market concentration. Democrats say the agenda is aimed at strengthening farmer independence and fair competition.
For Iowa — where agriculture plays a central economic role — the tariff fight is likely to remain a flashpoint as candidates debate how best to protect farm income while navigating global trade tensions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters