Republicans Ted Cruz, Rand Paul talk about the risks of Trump’s tariff policy

As the consequences continue from the destabilizing rates policy of President Donald Trump about practically all US commercial partners, some Republican senators warn about the risks for US families.

Senator Ted Cruz, a republican and burning supporter of Texas, was news when he spoke, first in Fox News last week and in recent days in his “verdict” podcast.

“Tariffs are a consumer tax, and I am not a fan of increasing taxes on US consumers, so I hope these rates are of short duration and serve as leverage for minors tariffs worldwide,” Cruz told Fox Business Larry Kudlow’s presenter.

Cruz reiterated that point in his podcast, saying that it would be a victory if the administration would use the policy as leverage to quickly negotiate the tariffs imposed by other nations, but if it remains in its place long term, it could increase inflation, damage the growth of employment and possibly put the United States in a recession, the last of which would result in a “Bloodbath” for the republican part in the part of the election 2026 stage.

“If we are in a stage within 30 days, within 60 days, within 90 days with massive American tariffs and massive rates on US goods in all other countries of the earth, it is a terrible result,” he said on Friday.

Trump’s officials, including Treasure Secretary, Scott Besent and the Secretary of Agriculture, Broke Rollins, faced their comments during Sunday morning news programs. To a large extent they avoid comments while projected optimism on the long -term impact of politics.

Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, expressed concerns similar to Cruz.

“Tariffs are taxes and Americans are paying the price,” Paul wrote last week.

Paul also spoke on the Senate’s floor criticizing Trump’s argument that tariffs are necessary due to what he said it was a “national emergency” regarding commercial deficits. Paul said Congress needed to reaffirm his constitutional power to regulate tariffs and foreign trade.

“I am a Republican. I am a defender of Donald Trump,” Paul said. “But this is a bipartisan problem. I don’t care if the president is a republican or Democrat. I don’t want to live under the emergency rule. I don’t want to live where my representatives can’t speak for me and have a check and balance about power.”

“A person can make a mistake and guess what: tariffs are a terrible mistake,” Paul said.

“Tariffs are like whiskey: a small whiskey, in the correct circumstances, can be refreshing, but too whiskey, in the wrong circumstances, can make you drunk like a goat,” said Senator John Kennedy, Republican of Louisiana, last week.

Senator Chuck Grassley, a Iowa Republican, presented a bill last week that would require Congress to approve any new tariff. Grassley associated with Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell in the legislation.

Cantwell said in CBS News “Face the Nation” on Sunday that seven Republicans were aboard with the bill. Representative Don Bacon, Republican from Nebraska, told CBS that he was “starting support” for a similar measure in the camera.

But the legislation faces a uphill battle, since it would need significant republican support in both cameras to approve and President Mike Johnson opposes the idea.

And so far, there are limited signs of any generalized cracks in the general support for Trump.

Senator John Barraso, a member of the Republican leadership, said Sunday that he believed that Trump’s actions on tariffs were constitutional.

“So, in terms of tariffs, I think they are a tool, and I think we have to go after China,” said Barraso in CBS. “They have been abusing us for years, and I think the president is for firm constitutional reasons.”

Chamber and Senate legislators return to Washington on Monday.