Press Staff Blog
National Journal’s review of the first six weeks of the GOP-led 114th Congress isn’t kind. Charged with the duty to govern responsibly and get things done for the American people, Republicans have spent more time fighting amongst themselves than accomplishing anything substantive. Take a look at some highlights (or lowlights, as it were):
Wanted to be sure you saw today’s Republican quote of the day urging Republican leaders to pass a clean bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, courtesy of Republican Senator Mark Kirk from Illinois (who has clearly changed his tune from yesterday):
A look at today’s headlines shows that Republicans remain deeply divided over how to fund the Department of Homeland Security as we near the February 27 deadline (we know you’re completely shocked). Instead of recognizing the obvious solution to their self-imposed impasse (a clean DHS funding bill), House and Senate Republicans are more focused on passing the buck than taking action.
Talking Points Memo: GOP Infighting Begins As Clock Ticks To Homeland Security Shutdown
Even though pressure continues to mount for Republicans to pass a clean DHS funding bill that will keep our communities safe and secure, they are “increasingly unworried” about shutting down DHS. If they think that's a good strategy, they should read the letter sent by three former DHS secretaries who warn that the GOP’s political games could put our national security at risk.
It’s only the fourth week of the 114th Congress, and divisions within the Republican Party are on full display. After divisive votes on Speaker Boehner’s re-election and legislation to deport DREAMers and roll back women’s rights, House GOP leaders just pulled their border bill from Floor consideration this week because (surprise, surprise) it doesn’t go far enough for many of their Members. It’s been a messy few weeks for House GOP leadership as they seek to appease their base and they’ve only exposed divisions among their Members.
...and sit back and watch the latest episode in the soap opera that is the GOP conference. Today's drama features GOP Whip Steve Scalise vowing to bring back the extreme bill that was pulled last night (even though it was pulled because their own members didn't like it, only to be replaced with another bad bill). The Hill reports:
With one month left for Americans to sign up for health care coverage for 2015, we thought we’d show (in gifs) how Republicans are continuing to vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, despite the fact that millions of Americans are benefiting from the affordable, quality health care the law provides.
See below for the first few examples, and click here for the full list.
Yesterday, House Republicans put national security at risk by attaching draconian, anti-immigrant amendments to a DHS funding bill. However, 26 House Republicans opposed their own party’s partisan attempts to tear families apart and had some harsh words for their colleagues:
As House Republican leaders play games with our national security by attaching poison pill amendments to must-pass DHS funding legislation, here’s an interesting development: they are quickly losing support from their own Members. Several House Republicans are joining GOP Senators in opposition to the extreme, anti-immigration amendments that pander to the far-right wing of the party. From Politico:
As the Department of Homeland Security funding bill comes to the House Floor today, House Republicans are facing an interesting source of opposition to their plans: Senate Republicans. A number of them have pointed out what should be pretty obvious: playing games with our national security is a terrible idea. A few highlights of what they’ve had to say: