GOP Faces Uphill Climb With New Rules Package

(RepublicanDaily.org) – Last year, GOP supporters were looking forward to a successful midterm elections outcome in November. However, when voters ended up going to the polls, things panned out differently. Democrats kept control of the Senate, and Republicans only managed to get a slim majority in the House of Representatives. More bad news followed earlier this month when now-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) found himself embroiled in a damaging, days-long battle for the position. Now, House Republicans could be divided again over a controversial vote on a new rules package.

According to a New York Times report, the measures in the provision could make it easier to remove a speaker and stall ethics probes, but make it harder to increase taxes or spend the federal government’s money.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) is among the measure’s most vocal detractors. One of his chief concerns about the package is it might result in cuts to defense spending, which he believes is an unacceptable proposition given the rising threats posed by international bad actors like Russia and China in recent times. Gonzalez has stated he will not vote in favor of the package, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has told the press she’s not sure if she’ll vote for it.

Congratulations to @SpeakerMcCarthy and the Republicans who were able to unify and pass the best house rules package in history.

Now begins the difficult battle to force long-absent accountability on Biden's administration and to halt his destructive policies.

— Joe Kent for WA-3 (@joekent16jan19) January 10, 2023

Other Republicans have also expressed concerns about shortfalls in defense spending but have said they’ll back the bill anyway, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Jordan has stated the military could potentially save money by eliminating woke initiatives or cutting back on its aid to Ukraine, which has been extensive since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of the country.

Continuing division within the GOP is not good for the promotion of conservative goals. The Republican Party may need to go back to the drawing board if it cannot find unity among its lawmakers.