Brunswick Beacon, 04.04.24
Republicans had a disappointing 2022, eking out a narrow House majority, while Democrats added a Senate seat. GOP strategist Scott Jennings blamed it on voters’ anger over Republicans’ election denial and repeal of abortion rights. Now, their slim House majority is disappearing.
George Santos (R-NY) was expelled after being indicted on 23 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and stealing public funds.
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) resigned after being removed as House Speaker. His crime? Using Democratic votes to avert a government shutdown most Republicans supported.
Ken Buck (R-CO) resigned, explaining, “this place keeps going downhill. I don’t need to spend my time here. It’s the worst year I’ve been in Congress. Having talked to former members, it’s the worst year in 50 years to be in Congress.” Buck said. “Republican leaders are lying to America that the 2020 election was stolen.”
Buck warned that Republican chaos meant more resignations could follow. That proved prophetic when Mike Gallagher (R-WI) resigned effective April 19. The Republican conference will shrink again, and they will need Democratic votes to pass legislation if more than one Republican balks. That’s what happened last week when Democrats saved us after a majority of Republicans voted (for the third time!) to shut down the government.
Eli Crane (R-AZ) explained why Republicans cannot govern. “I don’t think a lot of people in this conference actually give a s- — what the American people want. If they did, they would concur with the majority and wouldn’t deny election results or take away women’s reproductive rights.”
Mitt Romney, Adam Kinzinger, Liz Cheney … these principled, country over party, work-for-the people Republicans, also quit. For varied reasons, the GOP is shrinking, and the Republicans left in Congress can’t govern, preferring chaos.
Janine Sacramone
Leland