Republican Party News
Featuring coverage of Republican priorities, legislation, and internal debates, this section examines how the party shapes U.S. politics from a conservative perspective.
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- News
Pence on Disasters and Vegas Massacre: ‘We’ll Emerge Stronger From All This’
Vice President Mike Pence spoke Thursday about his faith in God and the goodness and perseverance of Americans as they face trials in natural disasters and senseless acts of violence. “No natural disaster, no act of violence will ever diminish the strength and goodness of the American people,” @VP says. Commenting on the massacre at…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
How the GOP Can Make Graham-Cassidy a Success
Over the weekend, Republican senators released a new version of “Graham-Cassidy,” their latest effort to undo Obamacare’s damage. It’s far from clear the bill can get enough votes to pass, but negotiations continue behind closed doors. Here at The Heritage Foundation, we have kept close track of the major bills Congress has considered to provide…Jean Morrow -
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The Role Pence Plays in the Trump White House
Vice President Mike Pence traveled through Latin America in August at a time when Venezuela was erupting with unrest. In April, Pence visited ally South Korea and stood on its border with its menacing neighbor to warn North Korea after a recent missile test that “the era of strategic patience is over.” And, in February,…Fred Lucas -
- News
Mitch McConnell Acquiesces to Conservatives’ Calls to Scale Back Senate’s August Recess
The Senate will have less time off in August so the lawmakers can work longer on priorities such as health care and tax reform, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday after repeated calls to do so from conservatives. McConnell pointedly blamed Democrats for the lack of accomplishments since the new Republican-controlled Congress adjourned in…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Americans Struggling Under Obamacare Tell Pence ‘Real Story’
Marjorie Weer spent six months negotiating with an insurance company just to clear the way for her 3-year-old son Montgomery to travel from South Carolina to see doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital. “This is the real story of Obamacare in America,” @VP says. Monty, as the family calls him, has spina bifida, a birth defect…Fred Lucas -
- News
Trump, Ryan Emphasize Importance of Unity After Shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise
President Donald Trump called for unity after House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot and wounded Wednesday morning when a man opened fire at Republican lawmakers and staff during a practice for a congressional baseball game. “Congressman Scalise is a friend, and a very good friend. He’s a patriot and he’s a fighter,” Trump…Rachel del Guidice -
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House GOP Whip Steve Scalise Shot at Congressional Baseball Practice
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot and wounded early Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia, when a man opened fire at Republican lawmakers and staff during a practice for a congressional baseball game. President Donald Trump announced on live television at 10:36 a.m. that the gunman “has died from his injuries.” At least four others,…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Ted Cruz Lays Out 4 Priorities for a Blockbuster Year for Conservatives
We have “a historic opportunity,” was the message of Sen. Ted Cruz at the Road to Majority Conference. “It is June 2017, and Hillary Clinton is not president and Neil Gorsuch is a Supreme Court justice,” said the Texas Republican Thursday. This year “demonstrates that elections matter,” Cruz said. “It demonstrates that men and women…Christine Roe -
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In Jim Jordan They Trust: Back Home, Voters Put Faith in Obamacare Foe
MINSTER, Ohio—Across the country, Republicans in Congress are returning home to face angry constituents at town halls and other public events, voters in both parties who want answers from elected officials about the GOP’s stalled plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. But here in Ohio’s 4th Congressional District, the response to Rep. Jim Jordan couldn’t…Melissa Quinn -
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RSC Chairman Talks ‘Hopeful Meeting’ With Pence on Obamacare
Conservatives in Congress met with Vice President Mike Pence Wednesday to discuss the American Health Care Act, the Republican alternative to Obamacare. “It was the most hopeful meeting that I feel like we have been part of, especially when it’s in a large group like that,” Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., told…Rachel del Guidice -
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Mitch McConnell Finds ‘Lot to Like’ in GOP’s Obamacare Replacement Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stumped Thursday for House Republican leadership’s American Health Care Act at a press event, saying, “There’s a lot to like about it.” “It repeals a significant number of taxes on the American people, [and] Republicans usually like repealing taxes,” McConnell said, in a jab at conservative lawmakers who are balking…Caleb Ecarma -
- News
Rand Paul, Jim Jordan Buck Leadership by Reviving 2015 Obamacare Repeal
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has reintroduced an Obamacare repeal bill that passed both houses of Congress in 2015, highlighting conservatives’ dissatisfaction with Republican leadership’s new bill to replace the health care law. Paul stressed that the language is the same as the repeal legislation that Republicans in the House and Senate passed and sent to…Morgan Walker -
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Pence Highlights Administration’s Commitment to School Choice in Meeting With Black College Leaders
Vice President Mike Pence stressed to a group of college administrators that the Trump administration is committed to greater education choice for elementary and high school students. “Parents on an increasing basis are able to choose for their young children the school regardless of their income and area code,” @mike_pence says. The vice president spoke…Fred Lucas -
- News
Pence Vows to End ‘Obamacare Nightmare’
Vice President Mike Pence attempted to assure conservative activists Thursday night that Obamacare is on its way out. “Let me assure you,” Pence said at the annual Conservative Action Political Conference, or CPAC, “America’s Obamacare nightmare is about to end.” As plans to repeal and replace Obamacare remain in limbo, Pence made the issue centerfold…Kelsey Bolar -
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Ted Cruz, at CPAC, Urges Term Limits for Congress
Now is the time for lawmakers to follow through on promises they made in their 2016 campaigns, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told the crowd Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. “This election was the American people saying, ‘Enough already with the corruption in both parties, Democrats and Republicans who have been here too long,’”…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Ted Cruz’s Take on Obamacare, in 4 Quotes
In a prime-time debate on CNN this week, Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, discussed “The Future of Obamacare” in America. Cruz, a leading critic of the law, used the moment to outline the law’s failures. Here are four things Cruz said about Obamacare: 1) “Now, nobody thinks we’re done once Obamacare is…Morgan Walker -
- News
At March for Life, Pence Pledges Restoration of ‘Culture of Life’ in US
“Life is winning again in America.” That was the message Vice President Mike Pence told the thousands gathered for the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Friday. “Along with you, we will not grow weary, we will not rest until we restore a culture of life in America for ourselves and our posterity,” Pence said….James Rogers -
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Black Leaders Who Support Jeff Sessions: ‘He Is a Good Man, Let That Be Heard’
During his confirmation hearing for U.S. attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions faced questions about his record on issues of race and civil rights. Allegations of racism contributed to the downfall of Sessions’ 1986 bid for a federal judgeship before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the same committee he is seeking approval from to move forward as…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
3 Takeaways From Gen. John Kelly’s Homeland Security Confirmation Hearing
On Tuesday, retired Gen. John Kelly, the nominee to be secretary of homeland security, went before the Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee for his confirmation hearing. Here are the top three takeaways from that hearing. 1. The Department of Homeland Security’s management and morale are a top focus for Congress and for Kelly. Multiple…David Inserra -
- News
4 Big Concerns From Day 2 of Jeff Sessions’ Confirmation Hearings
The first day of confirmation hearings for Sen. Jeff Sessions was comparatively collegial compared to the more contentious speakers who testified Wednesday for and against President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next attorney general. Sessions didn’t testify during the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearings, but former staffers and law enforcement advocates…Fred Lucas