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Senate Republicans are growing concerned that rising tensions between President TrumpDonald John TrumpMelania Trump is 'behind-the-scenes' but 'unbelievably influential': book Police unions face lobbying fights at all levels of government Ernst challenger leads by three points in tight Iowa Senate race MORE and Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiNavarro floats T price tag for next coronavirus relief bill Democrats see path to ridding Capitol of Confederate statues New York Times endorses Engel primary challenger MORE (D-Calif.) could lead to a shutdown fight just weeks before the election and threaten their slim majority in the chamber.

There is widespread anxiety among GOP senators that Trumps penchant for picking fights is a political liability as his response to nationwide protests against police brutality appears to be the cause of his declining approval ratings.

Republicans are now worried that hes likely to pick a fight with Pelosi in September over government funding for the next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.

Trump and Pelosis relationship has only gotten worse since the 35-day government shutdown at the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019. The president regularly refers to her as "Crazy Nancy," and last month Pelosi called him "morbidly obese."

GOP lawmakers say the last thing they need a few weeks before the Nov. 3 election is a spending standoff and possible government shutdown, especially with 23 Republican Senate seats up for reelection and only 12 Democratic seats at stake.

The Senate has yet to pass any of the 12 appropriations bills. In the House, Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyWins by young progressives start reshaping establishment On The Money: Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election | Mnuchin: White House seriously considering second round of stimulus checks | Labor leaders under pressure on police unions Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election MORE (D-N.Y.) announced that she intends to hold all subcommittee and full committee markups the weeks of July 6 and July 13.

Some Senate Republicans are discussing moving legislation that would prevent a government shutdown even if the annual appropriations bills havent been passed. The GOP senators say theyve gotten a commitment from GOP leaders for a vote in the coming weeks.

Theres some of us that would like to get back on that, Sen. Mike BraunMichael BraunOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senior Interior official contacted former employer, violating ethics pledge: watchdog | Ag secretary orders environmental rollbacks for Forest Service | Senate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Senate advances public lands bill in late-night vote MORE (R-Ind.) said after Republicans discussed it at a recent lunch meeting. It has to do with the general dysfunction that we have here.

He said Thursday the goal is to get something in place before a shutdown scenario arises and to have it there where you get rid of shutting down the government as a lever that can be used by whoever chooses to do it.

Braun added that theres strong Republican support for the legislation, but it faces an uphill path to securing support from Pelosi, Senate MinorityLeader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerJones, Sessions spar over renaming of military bases Democrats rip Trump rollback of LGBTQ protections amid Pride Month Sessions-Tuberville Senate runoff heats up in Alabama MORE (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats who worry that automatically defaulting to long-term stopgap spending measures could take pressure off Congress to pass new spending bills every year.

Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyPolice unions face lobbying fights at all levels of government Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Can he really do that? Yes, he probably can because Congress let him MORE (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has previously opposed legislation that would permanently enact appropriations if Congress failed to act or the president vetoed spending legislation.

Some moderate Democrats, however, have expressed support in the past for legislation to prevent future shutdowns.

Sen. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerRepublicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Virginia senator calls for Barr to resign over order to clear protests Trump asserts his power over Republicans MORE (D-Va.) last year introduced the Stop Stupidity Act, which would renew government funding at the same levels as the previous fiscal year, except for the legislative branch and the executive office of the president.

Braun said even if the legislation doesnt become law, it would at least put Senate Republicans on record opposing a shutdown ahead of an anticipated fight over a stopgap spending measure to keep government agencies operating beyond Sept. 30.

If Schumer and/or Pelosi wants to keep that open as an option, I think it will be pretty easy to connect the dots on whose fault it would be if we ever have a government shutdown, he said.

To me it would be the biggest thing we could do to at least be able to hold a stronger bargaining position that the government cant shut down, he said.

Theres concern among Republicans over which party would get the blame for a shutdown only a few weeks before an election in which Democrats are seen as having a growing chance of capturing the Senate GOP majority.

GOP lawmakers felt burned after the 2018-2019 shutdown, which was provoked by a fight primarily between Trump and Democratic leaders over the presidents demand for $5.7 billion in funding for a border wall between the United States and Mexico.

Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanCongress must protect federal watchdogs Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Senate subcommittee: IRS should increase oversight of tax-prep companies in Free File program MORE (R-Ohio) and a group of Senate Republicans have proposed the End Government Shutdowns Act, which would set up an automatic continuing resolution for any regular appropriations bill or existing stopgap spending measure to keep the federal government open when negotiations falter before key spending deadlines, according to an official summary of the proposal.

Braun said Republican senators hope to merge that with a measure he and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sponsored the No Budget, No Pay Act that would require Congress to pass an annual budget and meet appropriations bill deadlines or forgo their own salaries until those goals are met. It passed out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsCommittee last year.

At this point I think theres going to be unanimity on just jumping on one, he said, adding it was discussed by members of the Senate Republican Steering Committee among those of us who want to pick something that we can all go arm-in-arm with.

GOP Sens. Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyCongress must protect federal watchdogs Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Republicans release newly declassified intelligence document on FBI source Steele MORE (Iowa), Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senior Interior official contacted former employer, violating ethics pledge: watchdog | Ag secretary orders environmental rollbacks for Forest Service | Senate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Ag secretary orders environmental rollbacks for Forest Service Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election MORE (Mont.), Mike EnziMichael (Mike) Bradley EnziRepublicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election GOP senators dodge on treatment of White House protesters House GOP lawmakers urge Senate to confirm Vought MORE (Wyo.), John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoRepublicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election GOP senators urge Trump to back off Murkowski threat House Democrats roll out 0B green transportation infrastructure bill MORE (Wyo.), Jim RischJames (Jim) Elroy RischRepublicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election GOP's Obama-era probes fuel Senate angst Democrat Paulette Jordan to face incumbent Jim Risch in Idaho Senate race MORE (Idaho), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senior Interior official contacted former employer, violating ethics pledge: watchdog | Ag secretary orders environmental rollbacks for Forest Service | Senate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Senate advances public lands bill in late-night vote MORE (Utah) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiRepublicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election Milley discussed resigning from post after Trump photo-op: report OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill MORE (Alaska) have co-sponsored Portmans bill.

Lee confirmed that government shutdown prevention legislation was discussed at one of the Senate Republican Steering Committees recent lunches.

I like it, he said. Were co-sponsors of several iterations of that.

Its always a concern, Lee said of a potential shutdown fight in September. Thats why we need reforms."

Id like to take that risk off the table, he said.

Excerpt from:
Republicans start bracing for shutdown fight in run-up to election | TheHill - The Hill

For years Republicans have spoken privately about their disgust with President Trump's racist tactics, focus on dividing us, and general incompetence. But at some point elected Republicans will distance themselves from all things Trump and Trumpism or risk being polluted with the association forever.

As the last few years have shown, the self-described party of law and order, of a hawkish defense, is in fact a cavalcade of wimps. Their fear of Trump prevents them from following their conscience and speaking publicly against his most outrageous actions.

When Trump is sufficiently weak be it before Election Day or after he likely loses they'll start pretending that they were against his controversial ways all along, betting on the fact that swing voters have short memories. The Trump stain has alienated suburban white women, working-class white women, young nonwhite voters, and other key demographics in large numbers. That will hurt all Republicans this November.

The question is what happens after the Trump presidency has faded into a frightening memory.

Throughout the last Presidential campaign, many Republicans spoke out against Trump. Sen. Cory Gardner said his "flaws are beyond mere moral shortcomings." Sen. Mike Crapo withdrew his endorsement. Rep. Martha Roby called him "unacceptable as a candidate." Sen. Lindsay Graham labeled him a "race-baiting xenophobic religious bigot." The list goes on.

The most notable Never Trumper was Mitt Romney, but he was too late, calling Trump out for his con man status after his Super Tuesday surge.

Since Trump's inauguration, there have been few glimmers of a spine in the GOP with a President who has separated immigrant families, defended white supremacists, attacked the integrity of the Justice Department, mismanaged the response to the pandemic, and called for military force against American citizens.

Over the course of his tumultuous first term, Trump has lost some Republicans with greater intestinal fortitude, like Rep. Justin Amash who had to leave the GOP in order to make a stand. Generally the loudest voices among other disgusted Republicans are not in office.

More commonly, elected Republicans have been too chicken to do more than stray mildly and briefly from Trump during his most un-ignorable atrocities. Trump's racist attacks on Democratic congresswomen in 2019, for example, led to distancing and disapproval from some GOP allies that evaporated at the speed of the news cycle. How easy it is to forget or ignore each offense rather than stand up to the source.

This year, of course, has brought us new depths in the Trump presidency, and the volume of recriminations has begun to increase. Former defense secretary James Mattis sent shock waves by denouncing Trump as a threat to the Constitution, and just on Thursday top general Mark Milley apologized for participating in Trump's controversial photo op. Ex-White House chief of staff John Kelly has questioned the President's ethics and encouraged Americans to "look harder at who we elect."

And The New York Times now reports that former President George W. Bush will not support Trump's re-election while Cindy McCain is almost certain to support Biden. With each week it seems a new voice joins the chorus.

But they are all formers: former presidents, former cabinet secretaries, former chiefs of staff. The real voices that need to speak up are the current elected Republicans. But that doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon.

If the past three years are any guide, Sen. Romney and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who announced that she might not back Trump in November, will be lonely voices for country over party. Murkowski has never been afraid of Trump, and Romney followed the truth and his conscience during impeachment.

Most other elected Republicans will remain muted, avoiding uncomfortable topics in public while secretly wishing Trump would go away.

In November he will, inevitably, be revealed a loser. And politics hates losers.

Republicans will find ways to apologize for and distance themselves from Trump after four years of clinging to him. That's what politicians do.

But whether you're a Republican who rejects Trump's obscenity or an independent who votes for the individual, remember the GOP lawmakers who caved to Trumpism next time you're in the voting booth. Remember the moments they stayed silent during the most shameful time in modern American history.

We can't let the stain of the past four years be washed off Republicans who were too weak to restrain this president when the country so desperately needed them.

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Republicans are going to bear the Trump stain for years to come - Business Insider - Business Insider

WASHINGTON It was one thing in 2016 for top Republicans to take a stand against Donald Trump: He wasnt likely to win, the thinking went, and there was no ongoing conservative governing agenda that would be endangered.

The 2020 campaign is different. Opposing the sitting president of your own party means putting policy priorities at risk such as appointing conservative judges, sustaining business-friendly regulations and cutting taxes as well as incurring the volcanic wrath of Trump.

But, far sooner than they expected, growing numbers of prominent Republicans are debating how far to go in revealing that they wont back his re-election or might even vote for Democrat Joe Biden. Theyre feeling a fresh urgency because of Trumps incendiary response to the police protests, atop his mishandling of the pandemic, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Former President George W. Bush wont support Trumps re-election, and Jeb Bush isnt sure how hell vote, say people familiar with their thinking. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah wont back Trump and is deliberating whether to again write in his wife, Ann, or cast another ballot this November.

And Sen. John McCains widow, Cindy, is almost certain to support Biden but is unsure how public to be about it because one of her sons is eyeing a run for office.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will vote for Biden, telling CNN that Trump lies about things and Republicans in Congress wont hold him accountable. Powell, who voted for former President Barack Obama, as well as Hillary Clinton, said he was close to Biden politically and socially and had worked with him for more than 35 years. Ill be voting for him, he said.

None of these Republicans voted for Trump in 2016, but the reproach of big Republican names carries a different weight when an incumbent president and his shared agenda with Senate leaders are on the line.

GOP leaders like former Speakers Paul Ryan and John Boehner wont say how they will vote, and some Republicans who are already disinclined to support Trump are weighing whether to go beyond backing a third-party contender to openly endorsing Biden.

Retired military leaders, who have guarded their private views, are increasingly voicing their unease.

Biden intends to roll out his Republicans for Biden coalition later in the campaign, after fully consolidating his own party, according to Democrats familiar with the planning.

The public expressions of opposition to Trump from parts of the Republican and military establishment have accelerated in recent days over his repeated calls for protesters to be physically constrained, dominated, as he put it, and his administrations order to forcefully clear the streets outside the White House so he could walk out for a photo opportunity. His conduct has convinced some leaders that they can no longer remain silent.

Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis blistering criticism of Trump this past week and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowskis admission that she is struggling with whether to vote for Trump have intensified the soul-searching taking place, forcing a number of officials to reckon with an act that they have long avoided: saying out loud that Trump is unfit for office.

This fall, its time for new leadership in this country Republican, Democrat or independent, said William McRaven, the retired Navy admiral who directed the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. President Trump has shown he doesnt have the qualities necessary to be a good commander in chief.

McRaven, in an interview on the 76th anniversary of D-Day, noted that those wartime leaders inspired Americans with their words, their actions and their humanity.

In contrast, he said, Trump has failed his leadership test. As we have struggled with the COVID pandemic and horrible acts of racism and injustice, this president has shown none of those qualities, McRaven said. The country needs to move forward without him at the helm.

Trump won election in 2016 despite a parade of Republicans and retired military officers who refused to support him. Far more current GOP elected officials are publicly backing Trump than did four years ago. Among his unwavering supporters are GOP leaders like Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, and past foes like Sens. Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham. And polls today indicate that rank-and-file Republicans are squarely behind the president, although that is in part because some Republicans who cant abide Trump now align with independents.

Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida has donated millions of dollars to GOP candidates, served as Bushs ambassador to the Vatican and hasnt voted for a Democrat in decades.

But Rooney, who is not seeking re-election, said he is considering supporting Biden in part because Trump is driving us all crazy and his handling of the virus led to a death toll that didnt have to happen.

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Some Republican leaders struggle with whether to vote for Trump - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Barr had long since lost any credibility as Americas top law enforcement official, showing himself to be just another Trump crony, but the move was still shocking enough to prompt the four-member Justice Department team prosecuting Stone to resign from the case in protest.

Barrs office didnt ask the judge for a specific sentence for Stone, just that it be lighter. Trump weighed in, with outlandish inappropriateness, to suggest a specific sentence: Nothing. He can sleep well at night, Trump tweeted late last week in response to a supporters call for Stones pardon.

The investigation that Trump keeps calling a witch hunt obtained the convictions against Stone and many other clearly guilty Trump associates, Kremlin associates and others, as well as presenting damning evidence that Trump personally, repeatedly obstructed justice.

He pardons guilty cronies, ignores congressional subpoenas, fights proper legal attempts by plaintiffs to obtain his business records and, along the way, publicly calls for violence against protesters.

As for Americas top law the Constitution his contempt for it was, most recently, demonstrated when those acting on his behalf violently cleared peaceful protesters so Trump could stand in front of a church for the cameras.

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Editorial: This president coddles criminals, and the Republican Party coddles him. - STLtoday.com

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After more than a week of nationwide demonstrations sparked by the killing of George Floyd, a black man from Houston, in Minneapolis police custody, top Republican politicians in Texas are suddenly allergic to racism.

High-ranking state officials are busy disowning GOP county chairs and activists and perhaps even a statewide elected official for social media posts juxtaposing a Martin Luther King Jr. quote with a banana, to conspiracy theories that Floyds killing was staged, to unsubstantiated claims that the protests were designed and financed by a liberal billionaire.

Meanwhile, Texas Democrats are had their state convention last week online, instead of in convention centers and hotel ballrooms but the Texas Republicans are doing them more good than all of the online speeches and pep rallies ever could.

The earth-shattering events of 2020 are fueling a lot of difficult but necessary conversations about our society. At the same time, they are framing the election season that lies ahead. Between the pandemic, an oil price crash, a lingering economic bust and most recently, widespread demonstrations about police brutalizing black people and about racism in general, the political table is set.

Where to start?

Social media posts of racist conspiracy theories about Floyds death from GOP chairs in several Texas counties, including two of the largest?

The chair-elect of the Harris County GOP, who posted a Martin Luther King quote with a picture of a banana? He led his apology with this: Words and images have power. No kidding.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller went whole hog in a post Sunday morning: Folks this is not a protest. It is a well orchestrated attack on America's major cities with plans to attack the police, riot, loot, and burn buildings. The so-called protestors are, in fact, domestic terrorists who were organized and paid for by George Soros to further divide our country. These terrorists were bused into these large cities. We must repel this attack and hold those responsible for their actions. This must be brought to a stop now or we will lose control of our country!

If all of that resulted from a Democratic conspiracy, its a masterpiece of political mud-slinging.

You can see that Republicans think its a dumpster fire.

Texas Republicans at the top of the food chain Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul among them were quick to disassociate themselves and their party from the local chairs spouting crazy racist conspiracies and to start calling for their resignations. Its not hard to see why theyre reacting, especially with the Democrats gathered virtually for a state convention, and with the streets filled for more than a week with concerned Americans seeking talk and action about racial divisions in the U.S., particularly about police violence against black people.

Why would anyone who will be looking for votes and other support not to mention a harmonious and productive society want to get on the wrong side of that?

The problem with that runaway strategy is at the top of the Republican Party, in the White House. In a single day, President Donald Trumps talk of sending troops to American cities, followed by a Bible-waving photo op in front of a church near the White House, might have been enough. The topper police and military personnel clearing the way to St. Johns through a nonviolent crowd with flash-bang grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets was enough to bring harsh words from the same generals Trump used to brag were solidly at his side.

Local and state officials might add some nuance here and some empathy there. Abbott did that just last week, saying he wanted violence and vandalism to stop while making a point of saying he supports the right to protest, that Floyd was murdered, and that he understands why all of those demonstrators are demanding change.

That wasnt exactly a manifesto, but its a lot softer than what the president has been saying, with his talk of dominance and his threat to send U.S. military troops to police American cities.

Republicans on the ballot this year are going to have to run on this guys coattails. The officials who dont have to run a category that includes the governor, the lieutenant governor and most of the other elected statewide executives will be working with whomever gets elected. Texas Democrats need nine votes to win back the state House majority they lost in 2002. That would give them a bit of leverage in drawing new political maps after this years census. It would tilt the tables a bit.

Republicans think they can hold them off, maybe even win a few seats back. But Novembers outcome will depend on all of the usual things: turnout, issues, the economy, the personalities of the candidates.

The issues are real wild cards. The economy is in the ditch right now and isnt likely to snap magically back into order before Election Day. The coronavirus isnt going anywhere, and barring a medical miracle, will still be a serious concern through the rest of the year and into 2021. Floyds killing has raised a perennial thought that this is the incident that will prompt real conversation about police use of force, about institutional and systemic racism, and about setting the course for a fair society.

Add it up, and you have the makings of an upset in November. Its hard to know what an election is going to be about until its upon you. Late-breaking information can turn the tide in a close race; thats what they call an October Surprise, in capital letters.

But the greater frame of an election cycle the events, trends and conditions that deeply influence voters views of the world and the country, that animate their wishes for what should be left alone and what needs to change gets set long before people vote.

About now, perhaps.

Disclosure: The Foundation to Promote Open Society, founded by George Soros, has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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Events, and their own words, put Texas Republicans in an election year bind - The Texas Tribune