Rand Paul Decries Congressional 'Cowardice' As He Explains Vote To End Trump's Tariffs

[GroveHillWanderer]

It's not often that I agree with Rand Paul, but he's bang on the money here. 

 

 

https://youtu.be/aOK2NW7Va6E?si=PaWSc0cbMB33_3ky

 

[KhunLA]

I agree with what Paul (Rep Senator) is saying ... BUT ... Trump is not raising tariffs, he is negotiating trade deals with the threat of raising tariffs.  Quite a difference.   And trade deals signed, have to be approved by Congress.

 

He knows this, so once again, it just proves the corrupt 535 career politicians are against anything Trump does.  They simply don't want Trump derailing their 'gravy train'.

 

 

 

[Tug]

44 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

It's not often that I agree with Rand Paul, but he's bang on the money here. 

 

 

https://youtu.be/aOK2NW7Va6E?si=PaWSc0cbMB33_3ky

 

Evin a broken clock is correct twice a day!

[Jingthing]

48 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I agree with what Paul (Rep Senator) is saying ... BUT ... Trump is not raising tariffs, he is negotiating trade deals with the threat of raising tariffs.  Quite a difference.   And trade deals signed, have to be approved by Congress.

 

He knows this, so once again, it just proves the corrupt 535 career politicians are against anything Trump does.  They simply don't want Trump derailing their 'gravy train'.

 

 

 

That's a lie. 

He has raised tariffs UNILERALLY already and he claims that is legal under "emergency powers" BS. Do you actually believe the lies you're spouting? 

[Jingthing]

18 minutes ago, Tug said:

Evin a broken clock is correct twice a day!

Yeah I'm definitely not a fan of Rand Paul but at least he gets that the constitution and separation of powers NEEDS to be respected.

[KhunLA]

15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's a lie. 

He has raised tariffs UNILERALLY already and he claims that is legal under "emergency powers" BS. Do you actually believe the lies you're spouting? 

He can do that, but it won't hold, since executive order.    This might explain how he can that, but, if anyone challenges, they'd probably win.   Did he actually impose any new tariffs ?

 

I don't follow that closely or care, since I don't live in USA.

 

https://www.cfr.org/report/tariffs-trading-partners-can-president-actually-do

[Jingthing]

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

He can do that, but it won't hold, since executive order.    This might explain how he can that, but, if anyone challenges, they'd probably win.   Did he actually impose any new tariffs ?

 

I don't follow that closely or care, since I don't live in USA.

 

https://www.cfr.org/report/tariffs-trading-partners-can-president-actually-do

Wrong!

His "emergency powers" tariffs will hold as long as the courts don't stop him and/or the slaves to maga congress decides to start doing their job!

[KhunLA]

Tariffs are good for the USA, unless of course, you don't 'buy USA'.   Lack of manufacturing is why the USA is in the state it is.   Why CN is blowing by as a 1st world country, while USA is slipping further & further behind.

 

Just look how low tech and or expensive the auto market is there.   Few options of the better vehicles TH has on offer.   Along with affordable solar systems to give you independence of the monopolies.   Not being on the grid or having to buy petrol is true FREEDOM.

 

If not 'buying USA', then don't complain about the economy, less jobs, higher taxes, less state & federal services supplied, and the crappy roadways.

 

Live with your choices ...   

 

Those younger and or planning to live in the USA, need to get on board, or things are simply going to get worse.

 

Som nam naa

[BLMFem]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

I agree with what Paul (Rep Senator) is saying ... BUT ... Trump is not raising tariffs, he is negotiating trade deals with the threat of raising tariffs.

So what's this then?

 

Another round of auto tariffs just went into effect. They could change the industry forever

 

"The average car buyer doesn’t think about where the parts in their vehicle come from – but automakers do.

That’s why a new round of auto tariffs – this time on parts – coming into effect Saturday could upend the industry, even more than previous levies on imported cars.

As of 12:01 am ET on Saturday, most auto part imports will come with a 25% import tax."

[BLMFem]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Tariffs are good for the USA, unless of course, you don't 'buy USA'.   Lack of manufacturing is why the USA is in the state it is.   Why CN is blowing by as a 1st world country, while USA is slipping further & further behind.

 

Just look how low tech and or expensive the auto market is there.   Few options of the better vehicles TH has on offer.   Along with affordable solar systems to give you independence of the monopolies.   No being on the grid or having to buy petrol is FREEDOM.

 

If not 'buying USA', then don't complain about the economy, less jobs, higher taxes, less state & federal services supplied, and the crappy roadways.

 

Live with your choices ...   

 

Those younger and or planning to live in the USA, need to get on board, or things are simply going to get worse.

 

Som nam naa

"Lack of manufacturing is why the USA is in the state it is"

 

Grossly simplistic as well as completely wrong.

[MicroB]

Paul robustly defends the concept of trade and how the President doesn't understand trade.

 

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

24 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

So what's this then?

 

Another round of auto tariffs just went into effect. They could change the industry forever

 

"The average car buyer doesn’t think about where the parts in their vehicle come from – but automakers do.

That’s why a new round of auto tariffs – this time on parts – coming into effect Saturday could upend the industry, even more than previous levies on imported cars.

As of 12:01 am ET on Saturday, most auto part imports will come with a 25% import tax."

With that, auto tariffs, do you really think Rand cares about the USA, or just (see below) just to protect Kentucky's auto manufacturing ... 

 

All these years of auto makers exporting parts manufacturing for more profit margin, is coming back to bite the auto industry on the butt. 

 

Where were the votes to have tariffs in place before manufacturing went overseas ?

 

[BLMFem]

Just now, KhunLA said:

With that, auto tariffs, do you really think Rand cares about the USA, or just (see below) just to protect Kentucky's auto manufacturing ... 

 

All these years of auto makers exporting parts manufacturing for more profit margin, is coming back to bite the auto industry on the butt. 

 

Where were the votes to have tariffs in place before manufacturing went overseas ?

 

 

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you deflect.

Bravo!

[MicroB]

19 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

So what's this then?

 

Another round of auto tariffs just went into effect. They could change the industry forever

 

"The average car buyer doesn’t think about where the parts in their vehicle come from – but automakers do.

That’s why a new round of auto tariffs – this time on parts – coming into effect Saturday could upend the industry, even more than previous levies on imported cars.

As of 12:01 am ET on Saturday, most auto part imports will come with a 25% import tax."

 

 

I've been speaking to a US supplier of hospital needles and syringes. They are an American company, but they are now pulling out of that segment of the US market. They make speciality needles and syringes in China. They supply hospitals on a Call Off basis. Contractural details mean they cannot cite tariffs as a force majeure, and will have to swallow the price increase.

 

They cannot simply switch manufacture to the US, at least not in short order. The needles require specialist tooling, that typically they get from Germany. Moving production to the US would require them to notify the FDA of a change to the technical package. The FDA requires approvals of changes in manufacturing sites, changes to manufacturing processes. For Class II devices like these, it used to be that the FDA would make a decision in 6 months, but they feel now that recent changes in FDA headcount will extend this. They face either 6-12 months of losses, or losing market share entirely. They think the effect is going to ripple throughout healthcare.  At the next round of contract negotiations, hospitals will see prices increase 100-150%.

 

This is going to further increase because at the same time, the FDA has seen serious headcount reductions, which is already causing bottlenecks in medical device approvals. They expect the government's reaction will be to deregulate; to simplfy the approvals process and lower the bar. This won't necessarily lead to more medical injuries, but it will increase the pressure to move the cost of device assessment to the insurance industry. The Insurance industry look largely to the CMS to determine if they will pay for a device or therapy, and that will be based on expert assessment of technical documentation. If the insurance industry is now conducting those assessments, access to quality healthcare will be further restricted, and the increased costs will be passed on to the customer (the public).

 

When physicians choose a medical device or a drug to treat their patient, its not done on the basis of where it is made. its done on the basis of what is best for their patient. Putin found this out. When his war started, he ordered his people to come up with Russian made medtech. The Doctors told him to do one.

 

This is no surprise. It happened during COVID, with ventilators. All around the world, politicians went and  got industry together to make ventilators. The UK pulled in the military and Formula 1. The US turned to General Motors and Ford. James Dyson thought he would go ahead and redesign the ventilator. Healthcare professionals were genuinely fearful that idiot politicians were going to tell them how to treat patients. Russia did that, telling hospitals to daisy chain systems. A resulting fire incinerated an entire ward. In America, the American President wanted hospitals to use Russian made equipment. These went quietly to the skip. In the UK, doctors did their level best to stop patients going to the Nightingale Hospitals to be looked after by British Airways stewardesses (a Boris idea).

[KhunLA]

20 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

 

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you deflect.

Bravo!

That's not deflecting, that points out his motive, a Kentucky Senator, taking care of his constituents.   Exactly what he should be doing, his job.   Although, short sighted when it comes to the future and security of the USA, since dependent on other countries.  As if covid supply chain issues didn't point that out.

 

But great talking points come elections ... "I voted against tariffs, as it hurt our auto industry"

 

To not know why he is against tariffs, just points out your ignorance.   Politicians don't do anything without a reason, and it's usually self serving.

 

Wake up to reality, politician care about one thing ... getting reelected.

[BLMFem]

16 minutes ago, MicroB said:

 

 

I've been speaking to a US supplier of hospital needles and syringes. They are an American company, but they are now pulling out of that segment of the US market. They make speciality needles and syringes in China. They supply hospitals on a Call Off basis. Contractural details mean they cannot cite tariffs as a force majeure, and will have to swallow the price increase.

 

They cannot simply switch manufacture to the US, at least not in short order. The needles require specialist tooling, that typically they get from Germany. Moving production to the US would require them to notify the FDA of a change to the technical package. The FDA requires approvals of changes in manufacturing sites, changes to manufacturing processes. For Class II devices like these, it used to be that the FDA would make a decision in 6 months, but they feel now that recent changes in FDA headcount will extend this. They face either 6-12 months of losses, or losing market share entirely. They think the effect is going to ripple throughout healthcare.  At the next round of contract negotiations, hospitals will see prices increase 100-150%.

 

This is going to further increase because at the same time, the FDA has seen serious headcount reductions, which is already causing bottlenecks in medical device approvals. They expect the government's reaction will be to deregulate; to simplfy the approvals process and lower the bar. This won't necessarily lead to more medical injuries, but it will increase the pressure to move the cost of device assessment to the insurance industry. The Insurance industry look largely to the CMS to determine if they will pay for a device or therapy, and that will be based on expert assessment of technical documentation. If the insurance industry is now conducting those assessments, access to quality healthcare will be further restricted, and the increased costs will be passed on to the customer (the public).

 

When physicians choose a medical device or a drug to treat their patient, its not done on the basis of where it is made. its done on the basis of what is best for their patient. Putin found this out. When his war started, he ordered his people to come up with Russian made medtech. The Doctors told him to do one.

 

This is no surprise. It happened during COVID, with ventilators. All around the world, politicians went and  got industry together to make ventilators. The UK pulled in the military and Formula 1. The US turned to General Motors and Ford. James Dyson thought he would go ahead and redesign the ventilator. Healthcare professionals were genuinely fearful that idiot politicians were going to tell them how to treat patients. Russia did that, telling hospitals to daisy chain systems. A resulting fire incinerated an entire ward. In America, the American President wanted hospitals to use Russian made equipment. These went quietly to the skip. In the UK, doctors did their level best to stop patients going to the Nightingale Hospitals to be looked after by British Airways stewardesses (a Boris idea).

Great post clearly illustrating some of the consequences of the new tariffs, as well as the DOGE lay-offs.

[BLMFem]

18 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That's not deflecting, that points out his motive, a Kentucky Senator, taking care of his constituents.   Exactly what he should be doing, his job.   Although, short sighted when it comes to the future and security of the USA, since dependent on other countries.  As if covid supply chain issues didn't point that out.

 

But great talking points come elections ... "I voted against tariffs, as it hurt our auto industry"

 

To not know why he is against tariffs, just points out your ignorance.   Politicians don't do anything without a reason, and it's usually self serving.

 

Wake up to reality, politician care about one thing ... getting reelected.

 

Your claimed "Trump is not raising tariffs, he is negotiating trade deals with the threat of raising tariffs." My reply proved you wrong.

You reply to that was to question Rand Paul's motives for being against tariffs. That's as clear an example of a deflection as you can possibly get.

End of story.

 

 

[KhunLA]

Just now, BLMFem said:

 

Your claimed "Trump is not raising tariffs, he is negotiating trade deals with the threat of raising tariffs." My reply proved you wrong.

You reply to that was to question Rand Paul's motives for being against tariffs. That's as clear an example of a deflection as you can possibly get.

End of story.

Since I don't know if he is raising tariffs, I didn't address that part.

 

I'm guessing your link, from reading the quoted part you posted, was simply an Op-ed, and not news.  So no, I didn't bother.   

[BLMFem]

29 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Since I don't know if he is raising tariffs, I didn't address that part.

 

I'm guessing your link, from reading the quoted part you posted, was simply an Op-ed, and not news.  So no, I didn't bother.   

Yes, we can see that you didn't bother and that's why you needed to start deflecting.

[Yagoda]

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/05/day-102.php

 

https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5277881-trump-china-tariffs/

[bubblegum]

47 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Since I don't know if he is raising tariffs, I didn't address that part.

 

I'm guessing your link, from reading the quoted part you posted, was simply an Op-ed, and not news.  So no, I didn't bother.   

Then don't bother posting