Feehery: Time for Republicans to channel the revolutionary spirit of the class of 1994 | TheHill – The Hill
Voldymyr Zelensky is being hailed as latter-day Winston Churchill by both Democrats and Republicans.The Democrats newfound embrace of the former British statesman is interesting, given that it was only a year ago when Joe Biden banished a bust of Mr. Churchill from the confines of the Oval Office.
Biden was following the lead of his former boss, Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaJuan Williams: GOP plays the race card on Ketanji Brown Jackson Lawmakers skeptical of Biden effort to resurrect Iran nuclear deal Relearning our lesson on dealing with extortionists MORE, who didnt think Churchill deserved being honored in such a way.
Winston Churchill once said of one of his political rivals, hes a humble man with much to be humble about.
Churchills quote rings true to me in the sense of what Republicans should be preparing to do once they take the majority this coming November.
My old boss, Denny Hastert, used to have a mantra when he was Speaker of the House about the utility of underpromising and overdelivering.
Republicans often tend to overpromise and underdeliver.
For example, during the tea party years, they frequently promised to balance the budget, reform entitlements and repeal ObamaCare.
Similarly, when George W. Bush won reelection in 2005, he promised to fundamentally reform the Social Security program.
The Contract with America made many bold promises for the 1994 elections, which they published as a supplement to the once popular TV Guide magazine.But you had to read the fine print to really understand what Newt GingrichNewton (Newt) Leroy GingrichMORE and Dick Armey were promising to voters.They werent promising that their radically common-sense agenda would be signed into law. They were promising that it would get a vote on the House floor within the first 100 days of Republican rule in 1995.
Much of what the Newt and his gang promised had nothing to do with a policy agenda.It had everything to do with cleaning up the House itself, which had been used and abused for four decades by a rapacious Democratic majority. And so the Republicans promised crazy stuff like requiring all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply to Congress, selecting an independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of the House, cutting the size and the power of the committees by a third, limiting the terms of committee chairmen, banning the casting of proxy votes in committee, and requiring that committee hearings be open to the public.
In the context of today, none of these things seem all that revolutionary. But back in 1995, cleaning out the House of Representatives and bringing power back to the people was seen as truly game changing.
Twenty-seven six later, it is time for the Republicans to channel the revolutionary spirit of the class of 1994, focusing first on fixing the process and then getting to the policy items that differentiate the GOP from the Democrats.
Fixing the process is essential because House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiSarah Palin says she'd serve in Don Young's seat 'in a heartbeat' Clyburn files to run for 16th House term House staff turnover highest in 20 years: study MORE (D-Calif.) and House Democrats have completely trashed it ever since they took over in 2018.
First, they have to get rid of proxy voting on the House floor.The purpose of having a Congress in the first place is bringing people together.You cant bring people together if they can work for home.
Second, they have to fix the budget and appropriations process. The president still hasnt submitted his budget for the year and it is almost the end of March.
Third, power needs to flow back to the members and away from the leadership.There needs to be a return to regular order, where the committees are given the opportunity to find solutions to problems and not have their jurisdiction subverted by a power-hungry Speaker.
Fourth, members need to be able to offer amendments to the legislative process.The rights of the minority should be protected.
Finally, no member should be banished from serving on all legislative committees. What Pelosi and the Democrats have done to kick members that they dislike of all committees is despicable. It disenfranchises the hundreds of thousands of constituents who live in the districts of these members.
When Republicans take the House majority, they should be modest in their policy goals but aggressive in fixing a broken process. It wont be easy to get major things done with a closely split Senate and a president of the other party. Cleaning up the House should be far easier and today is far more important.
Feehery is a partner at EFB Advocacy and blogs atwww.thefeeherytheory.com. He served as spokesman to former House SpeakerDennis HastertJohn (Dennis) Dennis HastertFeehery: Traitor to his class Feehery: Biden's weakness on Ukraine invited Russian invasion Feehery: The end of innocence MORE(R-Ill.), as communications director to former House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas), and as a speechwriter to former House Minority Leader Bob Michel (R-Ill.).
Read the rest here:
Feehery: Time for Republicans to channel the revolutionary spirit of the class of 1994 | TheHill - The Hill
- Republicans spent years targeting progressive dark money. That could now boomerang on Trump. - CBS News - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Grassley is lobbying other Republicans to okay Blanche as attorney general - Radio Iowa - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Republicans have nothing to run on in midterms after Trump failures, Jeffries says - The Guardian - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- The 2026 House Map is No More Favorable to Republicans than the 2018 Map was - Sabato's Crystal Ball - Center For Politics - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Republicans head home for the summer after a string of losses in Congress - The Guardian - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- California Republicans urge RFK Jr. to block new Newsom-backed taxes on health insurers - Denver Gazette - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina senator who died this month at 71, was eulogized in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday morning. Vice President JD Vance... - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans running in Michigans 34th Senate District - 9and10News.com - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Republicans Senators Are Turning Todd Blanches Confirmation Fight Into an Anti-Abortion Free-For-All - Balls and Strikes - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- California Republicans ask Washington to kill the state's new insurer tax - Insurance Business - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- 4 Republicans Distance Themselves From House H-2A Reform Over Amnesty - DTN Progressive Farmer - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Grassley is lobbying other Republicans to okay Blanche as attorney general - Sioux County Radio - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Nothing nefarious? Bless Dave Boliek and NC Republicans cheating hearts | Opinion - Raleigh News & Observer - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Why Trumps team is letting some Republicans distance themselves from him - MS NOW - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- An amazing job: Many Republicans cant name a single thing Trump has done wrong - MS NOW - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- The Republicans Who Have Broken With Their Party to Support Limiting Trumps Iran War Powers - Time Magazine - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Some House Republicans defect to again pass resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran - PBS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Congressional Republicans Say D.C. Shouldnt Be Allowed to Run Its Own Tax System - Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Question Future of Federal Broadband Programs - Broadband Breakfast - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- These are the Republicans who voted for the Iran war powers resolution - The Hill - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Arizona Republicans pick nominees Tuesday for governor and other top offices - PBS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- NJ Republicans target two laws as they seek probe into non-citizen voting reveal - New Jersey Monitor - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Smithsonian too focused on 'oppressors and the oppressed,' say House Republicans - NPR - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans pass hard-right defense bill, handing wins to Trump - Politico - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- All 15 Senate Republicans call for probe of voter registration failures - New Jersey Globe - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Republicans push Trump administration to extend TPS for Haitians as deadline nears - NBC 6 South Florida - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans to write $95bn bill to fund Iran war and aid farmers | House of Representatives - The Guardian - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Why labor unions are sticking with two Pa. Republicans, even as control of the U.S. House hangs in the balance - Inquirer.com - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Focus on Democrats Plans, Not Their Own Wins - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Voter exhaustion could haunt Democrats and Republicans in the midterms - KJZZ - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- New poll shows Republicans losing their advantage over Democrats on immigration - MS NOW - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Extreme Candidates Have Cost Arizona Republicans a Bunch of Elections. Guess What the Plan Is for 2026? - Slate - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Pass Stock Trading Bill Tied to SAVE Act and Voter ID Measure - The New York Times - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Have Tied the Defense Policy Bill to Trumps SAVE Act - The New York Times - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- NJ Republicans say noncitizen voter problem is larger than governor disclosed - Gothamist - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans vote to advance $95 billion spending bill. What happens next? - WESH - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Trump returns to Georgia with election claims, worrying some Republicans - Reuters - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans Want To Extend TPS for Afghans - Newsweek - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Poll: Costs Are the Top Health Care Issue for Voters in the Midterms, But Fraud Tops Republicans' List As Trump Administration Pushes Crackdown - KFF - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- House Republicans unveil a $95 billion plan for the Iran war, farm aid and elections - AP News - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Where Republicans Cuts to Medicaid Could Cost Them - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans running to be Michigans next governor - 9and10News.com - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Graham Is Gone and McConnell Is Out Where Does That Leave Republicans? | National News | U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans Want to Sanction Canada for Not Stopping Wildfire Smoke From Entering the US - Truthout - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Trumps Stuck in 2020 With Other Republicans Thinking About 2026 - Bloomberg Government News - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- He sued the oil industry for $51B. Now he faces Republicans in a private grilling. - Politico - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans are forging ahead with a plan for Trump's SAVE Act. Is it doomed? - USA Today - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans scramble to find a replacement for Sen. Lindsey Graham ahead of the midterm elections - NBC News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans to huddle with CBO chief amid reconciliation talks - Live Updates - Politico - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Republicans return to Capitol Hill with agenda complicated by Graham death - The Guardian - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- The 6 Republicans most likely to win the 2028 presidential nomination - The Hill - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans tee up vote on nuclear bills - E&E News by POLITICO - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Kentucky politicians, mostly Republicans, confirm they will speak at Fancy Farm Picnic - Kentucky Lantern - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Democratic Senate candidate says her mission remains the same as Republicans move toward a special primary - Live 5 News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans left DC in a jam. Its not clear when theyll get out of it. - Politico - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Republicans feel increasingly upbeat about their chances in the midterms - NBC News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- CBO Director to Meet With Republicans on Third Party-Line Bill - Bloomberg Government News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Departing House Republicans Are Skipping Votes at Brisk Pace - Bloomberg Government News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Tickets for the Republicans midterm convention cost as much as $20,000 - MS NOW - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Lindsey Grahams sister appointed to serve rest of Republicans Senate term - The Guardian - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- PREMIUM Republicans have beef with Texas Rep. James Talarico. Why does meat matter in US politics? - Brooklyn Eagle - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Texas Republicans are going after THC. Yes, again - Dallas Observer - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Bolstered bloc of Vermont Republicans see bills repealed this year as a win - VTDigger - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trump will use the SAVE Act to blame them if they lose the election - NBC News - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- More NC Republicans are unexpectedly standing up to Trump | Opinion - Charlotte Observer - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Ohio Dems outraise Republicans in downballot statewide offices but still far behind in cash on hand - Ohio Capital Journal - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- House Republicans Unveil 11-Bill Energy Package to Keep the Lights On, Costs Down - PA House Republican Caucus - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- The SAVE Act wont save Republicans - The Washington Post - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Opinion | Republicans should tell the truth - The Durango Herald - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand Statement On Anniversary of Republicans Slashing Medicaid & Spiking Costs to Fund Tax Giveaway for Billionaires -... - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Carlsons split with Republicans to deepen US right rifts: Chinese think tank - South China Morning Post - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans have edge in holding Senate, but its awfully close - Washington Examiner - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Polling the Divide: Republicans, Democrats, and the Future of Democracy - Ideastream - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Commentary: It's not just vaccines from infancy to adolescence, Republicans are waging war on children's health - Los Angeles Times - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Even Republicans Dont Want Trumps Version of the SAVE America Act - New York Magazine - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Trump Vows Republicans Will Not Lose an Election for A Hundred Years - Yahoo - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Trump Promises Republicans They Will Not Lose An Election for 100 Years If They Do What He Says - HuffPost - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans see no foul in backing US World Cup team led by birthright citizen while opposing the constitutional right - Courthouse News - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans make their choices for November - Times of Wayne County - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Why it Matters: Governor vetoes mail-in ballot ID bill, but Republicans say the push isnt over - WTVG - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]