Republicans wonder: Can we govern? – The Hill
Republicans are questioning their ability to govern following seven months of constant turmoil capped by the dramatic failure in the Senate to advance ObamaCare repeal.
GOP lawmakers already face serious divisions over the two biggest items left on the agenda: raising the debt ceiling and reforming the tax code.
The problems underscore how moving on from healthcare wont necessarily solve the GOPs problems.
What we have to be able to do is demonstrate that were capable of doing hard things, said Senate Republican Conference Chairman John ThuneJohn ThuneGOP lawmakers, Trump at odds over insurance payments White House: Infrastructure bill remains Trump priority Not in the big city? Your pilot may have less training, thanks to Sen. Thune MORE (S.D.).
Healthcare reform is hard. Tax reform is hard. Weve got to pivot now to tax reform and get an outcome.
The party has no easy way out on the debt-ceiling dilemma. With Republicans in charge of Congress and the White House, the party will get the full blame if it fails to hike the borrowing limit and financial problems ensue.
On tax reform, veteran party voices such as former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) already are saying it would be smarter to lower ambitions and settle for a simpler package of tax cuts.
Emerging from a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellDem ad maker cuts new ad in Kentucky for Amy McGrath Dems express interest in working with GOP on bipartisan tax reform McConnell faces questions, but no test to his leadership MORE (R-Ky.) and other Republican senators on Tuesday morning, Gingrich said the best way to demonstrate an ability to govern is to pass something that matters.
Tax cuts are the most important single thing theyre going to do this year, and they need to get them done by Thanksgiving so they can affect the economy by 2018, he told The Hill.
The ObamaCare repeal failure was a jarring experience for many Republican lawmakers who have campaigned on the issue since 2010.
I have all kinds of concerns. Im not going to defend this process or this place. Weve got to keep working at it, said Sen. Ron JohnsonRon JohnsonSen. Johnson: 'We cant move on' because ObamaCare is a mess McConnell faces questions, but no test to his leadership Senate Republicans brush off Trump's healthcare demands MORE (R-Wis.), who was critical throughout the healthcare debate of what he viewed as a haphazard process.
Coming from the business world, having solved many problems, theres a process you follow. That seems to be quite foreign to Washington, D.C., he added. Its a more political process as opposed to a problem-solving process.
In public, Republican lawmakers for the most part have sought to avoid blaming the steady stream of White House distractions and controversies for their legislative record.
Privately, staff and members are more forthcoming.
Its August, we havent gotten anything big done and theres chaos at the White House. Yes, its a concern, said a senior Senate GOP aide.
If we have a crisis over the debt limit, concerns over our ability to govern will intensify, the source added.
The healthcare bill collapsed hours after The New Yorker published a bombshell interview with former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci that blew the lid off of infighting within President Trumps circle of advisers.
Were horrified by the drama coming out of the White House, said a Republican senator who requested anonymity to comment frankly on the administration.
The lawmaker said the failure of the healthcare bill is a wakeup call and a kick in the butt for Republican senators to get organized or risk falling into what that person described as the disarray of the White House.
We dont want to fall into the same soup, the lawmaker said.
Signs that the GOP infighting is rapidly extending beyond the White House are now evident, suggesting mounting frustration.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, issued a scathing rebuke of his GOP colleagues this week, declaring, The Republican Party is dead.
In an op-ed in The Denver Post, Buck wrote that Republicans had offered voters a vision for a better America ObamaCare repeal, tax reform, a balanced budget but, so far, have fulfilled none of those conservative promises.
[W]hat have we done? Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that betrays our values. A replacement for Obamacare lies dead on the Senate floor. Weve heard about tax reform but seen nothing yet. Immigration reform is talked about more on Fox News than it is on the House floor, wrote Buck, the former GOP freshman class president who was first elected in 2014.
Buck ended his diatribe with one final insult: calling the GOPs current leaders a B-team of messengers who distract the nation with frivolities.
A senior GOP aide argued that the House has been productive and that the problem is Democratic obstruction in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to pass most controversial legislation.
Our chamber has been busy passing bills this year, many of which go with little coverage or fanfare, including major ones like the [Department of Veterans Affairs] reform bill and Dodd-Frank repeal, the aide said.
The House is racking and stacking bills for the Senate to act on. We cant control the upper chambers agenda.
Some Republicans are calling on McConnell and other GOP leaders to work more closely with Democrats on big issues such as healthcare and tax reform, making the case that trying to push through major bills on partisan votes is futile when the party is divided between conservatives and moderates.
Some House Republicans say its time to work across the aisle, particularly on issues like the debt ceiling and reauthorization of the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which need to be done by the end of September.
Im predisposed toward getting reforms done in a number of different areas, and if theres a potential for bipartisanship, I think thats the preferred avenue, said Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.), a member of the moderate Tuesday Group whose swing district includes affluent suburbs outside of Philadelphia.
You need 60 votes in the Senate for most things, and I think working backward from that premise can yield more legislative successes.
But conservatives are skeptical that working with Democrats will yield any worthwhile results, laying bare another divide GOP leaders will have to wrestle with in the weeks ahead.
I would welcome working with Democrats. Sadly, Im not optimistic that Democrats have any willingness to work together to get anything done, said conservative Sen. Ted CruzTed CruzEx-Cruz aide: Now Bannon is establishment voice in Trump White House McConnell faces questions, but no test to his leadership Senate Republicans brush off Trump's healthcare demands MORE (R-Texas). The modern Democratic Party is captured by the radical far left.
See the rest here:
Republicans wonder: Can we govern? - The Hill
- Were going to have a problem: Republicans want Trump to move on from 2020 - Politico - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- College Republicans group disbanded after students allegedly give Nazi salute - The Washington Post - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE LIFE MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE - Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (.gov) - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Whats in the voting bill that Republicans are pushing to the Senate floor - The Seattle Times - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Trumps top priority is splitting Republicans and could reshape the Senate - MS NOW - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Inside the special session, and UF shuts down College Republicans - Bay News 9 - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- UF sued by College Republicans for deactivating club over Nazi salute - Miami Herald - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans worry theyre losing ground in the midterms - Politico - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans Tee Up Losing Fight Over SAVE America Act - NOTUS News of the United States - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- GOP HEALTH CARE MADNESS: Republicans Kick Millions off Their Coverage, Push Them Into Skimpy Plans, and Hike Out-of-Pocket Costs - Protect Our Care - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Dem in Maine House Primary Funneled PAC Money to Republicans - The Intercept - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- University of Florida College Republicans respond to deactivation of local chapter - WCJB - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The University of Floridas College Republicans chapter was disbanded after a photo reportedly depicting two students giving a Nazi salute had been... - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Were going to have a problem: Republicans want Trump to move on from 2020 - Yahoo - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- List of Republicans Who Voted With Democrats on Transgender Bathroom Bill - Newsweek - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- What's in the voting bill that Republicans are pushing to the Senate floor - oskaloosa.com - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- New York State Assembly Republicans Introduce Bill to Amend HALT Act; Aiming to Improve Safety and Staffing in State Prisons - WENY News - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- What's in the voting bill that Republicans are pushing to the Senate floor - The Daily Gazette - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Apparently, Republicans Are Finally Tired Of Trump Lying About The 2020 Election - NewsOne - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Democrats need to stop pretending Republicans will turn on Trump - Daily Kos - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Republicans in a growing number of states press ahead with Trumps voting rules - CNN - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans define victory in Iran as whatever Trump says it is - MS NOW - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Democrats are trouncing Republicans in state elections since Trump took office - Politico - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans block Democratic bill to fund DHS agencies other than ICE, CBP - The Hill - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- President Trump spent months getting squeezed by top Senate Republicans to endorse the embattled Senator John Cornyn of Texas in order to avert a... - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- WATCH: Trump pushes voting bill on House Republicans at annual policy retreat in Florida - PBS - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans find it difficult to focus on rising costs as they plot 2026 agenda - Politico - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans and Democrats Are United in Their War on the Unhoused - Truthout - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans Concede They Need to Pivot on Immigration Before Midterms - The New York Times - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans blast NJ governors first budget as more of same - New Jersey Monitor - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Opinion | The hidden reason Republicans could outperform midterm expectations - The Washington Post - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- The Republicans hoping to win in Utahs new blue district - Deseret News - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- A record number of Republicans are leaving the House - CNN - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans sweat Irans costs as they struggle to push economic agenda - CNN - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Trumps voting bill fixation strains Republicans to the breaking point - Semafor - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans, Democrats address high gas prices stemming from Iran war - CBS News - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Trump says his bill would guarantee the midterms. House Republicans are moving on. - Politico - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Johnson and Republicans Eye Another Party-Line Reconciliation Bill - The Fiscal Times - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Republicans Are Holding the TSA and FEMA Hostage to ICE - New York Magazine - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Unity is elusive for House Republicans on key election-year affordability bill - Reuters - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- Trump has one prescription for midterms. House Republicans have another - AP News - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- The Words of War Republicans Refuse to Say - The Bulwark - March 13th, 2026 [March 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans seek path for Trump agenda amid war and election headwinds - Reuters - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- House Republicans face internal and external headwinds as they gather to map out 2026 - Politico - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- This week on The Hill: House Republicans head to Florida to sharpen agenda, message - The Hill - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- How Noems Handling of Disaster Aid Angered Even Some Republicans - The New York Times - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: REPUBLICANS ARE PLUNGING AMERICA INTO ANOTHER ENDLESS CONFLICT, BUT THEY CANT FIND A DIME TO LOWER BILLS Congressman Hakeem Jeffries... - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans Block War Powers Limits as Mideast Crisis Widens - The New York Times - The New York Times - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Gillespie County Republicans Scale Back Hand Count Amid Staffing Shortage - The Fulcrum - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- House Republicans seek path for Trump agenda amid war and election headwinds - TradingView - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Republicans hope Mullin brings steady hand amid Trumps shakeup at DHS - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- NC Republicans cried wolf on election integrity. Its come back to bite them. | Opinion - Charlotte Observer - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Only six Iowa House Republicans voted against over-the-counter ivermectin - Bleeding Heartland - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- DHS feeds talking points to Republicans as opposition to ICE warehouses swells - The Washington Post - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Republicans and Democrats wrestle over whether the U.S. has entered a 'war' as debate rages on where congressional authorization needs to come into... - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Congressional Republicans bring Trumps 'war on fraud' to Vermont - Vermont Public - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- As a California GOP lawmaker ascends, some Republicans accuse him of ruining the party - CalMatters - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- These 4 Democrats voted with Republicans to fund DHS - The Hill - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Ford wins over Democrats and Republicans as 'most American' brand in new survey - Fox Business - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Map: See where Texas Democrats outvoted Republicans in Tuesday's election - Houston Chronicle - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Trumps trade war has hurt farmers. There are new warning signs for Republicans. - Politico - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Trump's war in Iran polls badly, but will it hurt Republicans in 2026? - USA Today - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Republicans Toil to Avoid Saying War as Iran Conflict Widens - The New York Times - The New York Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- What happened in Texas is a warning: advocates say Republicans suppressed votes in the primaries - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Florida college Republicans group chat reveals racist texts: Avoid the coloreds like the plague - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- What's at stake for Democrats and Republicans in the Texas Senate primaries - PBS - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Republicans consider raising taxes on HMO's to cover Medicaid shortfall - KGAN - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- More Republicans now support strong leaders who bend the rules - Good Authority - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- House Republicans expand Medicaid fraud probe to ten states - Fox Business - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Republicans vote to end use of school IDs for NH elections - New Hampshire Public Radio - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Texas House Republicans ask Congress to halt all immigration after Austin shooting - The Texas Tribune - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Republicans finally questioned the Clintons about Epstein. They also asked about UFOs and pizzagate - PBS - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Rep. Upchurch: Republicans' Veto Override Leaves Local Communities Holding the Bag, Still No Real Property Relief for Majority of Ohioans - Ohio House... - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The one big takeaway for Democrats and Republicans out of Texas - CNN - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Republicans Want to Protect the AI Industry as the Pentagon Cracks Down on Anthropic - News of the United States - NOTUS - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Could Texas Republicans Repeat the Mistake That Elected John Tower in 1961? - Fort Worth Magazine - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Chaffee County Democrats and Republicans Hold Caucus Meetings Tomorrow - Heart of the Rockies Radio | - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Racist messages among young Republicans are a five-alarm fire for the Miami GOP | Column - Tampa Bay Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Ohio Republicans are sounding the alarm about illegal Chinese vapes flooding the U.S. - Cleveland.com - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Nervous Republicans rally behind Cornyn as they wait on Trumps Texas pick - Politico - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]