In one of its only actions to regulate trade, the Bush administration had raised tariffs on steel imports to protect jobs in key electoral states like Pennsylvania. Landrieu (D-LA) proposed an amendment to a larger trade bill that would extend government assistance to maritime workers displaced as a result of these tariffs. According to Senate rules, any legislation that would increase spending totals beyond those established in the earlier Budget Resolution was subject to a point of order. Gramm (R-TX) brought such a point of order against Landrieu's amendment, and 60 votes were required to waive it and continue. Landrieu's amendment fell ten votes short of that total, 50-46, and the amendment fell.