Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.) is urging his GOP colleagues to crack down on President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's tariff authority following Monday's joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin that sparked widespread, bipartisan backlash.

"As the president taxes Americans with tariffs, he pushes away our allies and further strengthens Putin," Corker said in a tweet Tuesday. "It is time for Congress to step up and take back our authorities. We have legislation to do that. Let’s vote."

He added that the "dam is finally breaking. Thankfully" — an apparent reference to the relationship between Trump and congressional Republicans that the GOP senator once described as a " cult-like situation ."

The dam is finally breaking. Thankfully.



As the president taxes Americans with tariffs, he pushes away our allies and further strengthens Putin.



It is time for Congress to step up and take back our authorities.



We have legislation to do that. Let’s vote. — Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) July 17, 2018

Corker's comments come as some GOP senators criticize Trump for his rhetoric at the joint press conference with Putin. Trump shocked lawmakers on both sides of the aisle when he echoed Putin's denials of election meddling, and when he said the United States was partly to blame for the dismal state of relations with Moscow.

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“He just said it’s not Russia,” Trump said at the press conference, referring to Putin's denials. “I will say this, I don’t see any reason why it would be.”

Trump's comments led to public reprimands from top Democrats, who said Congress should use legislation, not just rhetoric, to push back on the president.

But any attempt to rein in Trump on tariffs faces an uphill battle in Congress.

Corker has already failed twice in his efforts to advance a measure that would require congressional approval for tariffs imposed in the name of national security.

The Senate took a symbolic shot at Trump's tariffs earlier this month, but supporters of the nonbinding procedural vote acknowledged that if it had been binding legislation they would not have had the votes to pass the measure.

Republicans and business groups are growing increasingly worried about the effects steep U.S. tariffs will have on allies and on the global economy.

GOP senators are reportedly also considering a resolution that would give the Senate's backing to the intelligence community.

But since then, Republicans have been of wary of provoking a showdown with Trump heading into the midterm election.