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GOP House Unity Is Collapsing [1]

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Date: 2023-06-07  

A group of House conservatives, the so-called Freedom Caucus, have revolted against Republican leadership, joining Democrats in blocking a rule that would have allowed four bills to progress to the floor. This revolt is in reaction to the debt limit deal recently struck by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Joe Biden. This revolt is a sign of McCarthy’s challenges as leader of a riotous party, and challenges attempts to present the party as unified behind a coherent vision for America. What we are seeing is a party at war with itself.

The War Within

The bills themselves do not seem to be very important to the Freedom Caucus. They relate to energy policy and regulatory reform. One bill relates to natural gas development. Another repeals a rule making it harder for energy companies to build pipelines, and another rolls back environmental regulation. You would think that all these bills would make conservatives happy. Joining the Democratic party in opposing this rule is not about principles, it is about power, and a chance to make a statement, even at the cost of ceding policy high ground to the Democratic party. This isn’t a guess, or pop psychology, the Freedom Caucus made clear what exactly they were opposing. Freedom Caucus member, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told reporters that, “We’re frustrated at the way this place is operating. We took a stand in January to end the era of the imperial Speakership, and we’re concerned that the fundamental commitments that allowed Kevin McCarthy to assume the Speakership have been violated as a consequence of the debt limit deal. And, you know, the answer for us is to reassert House conservatives as the appropriate coalition partner for our leadership, instead of them making common cause with Democrats”.

McCarthy’s Leadership is Shaky

McCarthy got the debt limit deal through, but he needed a lot of Democrats to get it over the line. This revolt shows just how shaky his leadership is. Conservatives don’t want him as Speaker, and they will take what opportunities they can, to fight him. What Americans are learning is that Republicans are not reliable governance partners, because the party is split by ideology and personality politics. With a party at war with itself, we have to wonder what major legislation the party can advance over this session. We are faced with enormous challenges, such as immigration reform, healthcare, and tax reform, and the biggest party in the House can’t seem to present a united front.

There’s a silver lining around every cloud, and the silver lining for Americans is that House Republicans are unlikely to pass major legislation on some of their key priorities. This chaos may force McCarthy to lean on Democrats, and work in a more bipartisan fashion in order to get things done. Thus, despite being the minority party in the House, this session could be defined by Democrats moderating Republican excesses and limiting the influence of the Freedom Caucus. Clearly, Republicans cannot govern alone. As if you needed to be told that.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/6/7/2173944/-GOP-House-Unity-Is-Collapsing

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