As Democrats and Republicans ready themselves for 2022 midterm elections, some GOP congressmembers are facing a steeper-than-usual uphill battle, despite consistently-conservative voting records and reports of caucus-wide respect. The punishing variable? Criticism of former President Donald Trump, however slight.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican with values largely in touch with his GOP base, denounces President Biden's administration every chance he gets. He supported the recent outster of Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from her position in House leadership, and decries the Equality Act. Yet he may still lose primary support among voters following his Jan. 6 vote to certify the 2020 election results, a move he himself called his "political death warrant," per a National Review article published Monday. Although Roy is still a midterm favorite, the idea that a lawmaker who deeply condemned Trump (but did not vote to impeach him) remains susceptible to the ex-president's lingering wrath represents a new trend within the party.
In South Carolina, Rep. Tom Rice (R), a strong supporter of Trump and his agenda, faces similar concerns after surprisingly voting to impeach the former president following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Rice called Trump's actions that day "completely despicable," adding that he will "vote that way every single time," reports The Washington Post.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Previously, however, Rice supported the U.S.-Mexico border wall, helped draft what became the 2017 tax cut legislation and defended Trump during his first impeachment trial. But that still might not be enough to save him, writes the Post. Said South Carolina voter Keith Allen: "I'm behind [Rice] 100 percent. But there are people that won't forgive him for [voting to impeach Trump] in our community."
Read more at The National Review and The Washington Post.
-
August 31 editorial cartoonsCartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include FEMA's new scheme, Gavin Newsom's antics, and a clue in the Epstein files
-
Disarming Hezbollah: Lebanon's risky missionTalking Point Iran-backed militia has brought 'nothing but war, division and misery', but rooting them out for good is a daunting and dangerous task
-
Woof! Britain's love affair with dogsThe Explainer The UK's canine population is booming. What does that mean for man's best friend?
-
Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US FedTalking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revoltSpeed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
Why is Trump suddenly interested in his enemies' mortgages?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the president continues targeting adversaries, he's turned to a surprising ally to provide ammunition for an emerging line of attack
-
'A symbol of the faceless corporate desire'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandateTalking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich throwerSpeed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodusSpeed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
Trump soaks up adoration in his made-for-TV Cabinet meetingsIN THE SPOTLIGHT The president's televised sessions have become a platform for his top lieutenants to demonstrate executive flattery
