Michael Baumgartner says tariffs are taxes he opposes. In February he voted to keep the Canada tariffs.
- 11 FEB 2026VOTED
- 21 SEP 2026≠ SAID
≠ What he said and how he voted don’t match
1 · VOTED · 11 FEB 2026
| Measure | H.J.Res. 72, terminating the Feb 1, 2025 national emergency (Canada tariffs) |
|---|---|
| Question | On passage |
| Result | Passed 219–211 |
| Baumgartner | NAY |
2 · ≠ SAID · 21 SEP 2026
“Tariffs are taxes. This is why I oppose them. I generally support lower taxes. And it's no doubt that America does better when we have free and fair trade, but trade has to be fair to Americans as well. And so one of the aspects of tariffs as well, too, is that they're a tool of diplomacy.”
WA-5 candidate forum at Whitman College, Walla Walla.
DID THEY EXPLAIN? YES
Speaker Johnson “asked me to continue to give the president leverage to use tariffs as a national security tool.”
HOW WE CHECKED THIS
The quote was transcribed from the forum video and runs through the end of his answer. The vote was read on clerk.house.gov on 21 Oct 2026. His explanation is quoted from his statement as reported by the Spokesman-Review. Spot an error? Tell us, and we’ll correct it in public.