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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Rand Paul: ‘Defend the Whole Bill of Rights’
The way to win more voters to the Republican banner is to guard “the whole Bill of Rights,” not just the Second Amendment, Sen. Rand Paul told an enthusiastic crowd of conservatives this afternoon. “We have to defend the whole Bill of Rights.”-@SenRandPaul at #CPAC2015 Democratic and independent voters too often identify the GOP with…Ken McIntyre -
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Ted Cruz Criticizes GOP Leadership for ‘Cutting a Deal’ with Democrats on Immigration
Sen. Ted Cruz criticized Republican leaders today for “cutting a deal” with Democrats and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid to help fund President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. The senator’s comments came at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference outside of Washington, D.C., where Cruz, R-Texas, delivered a speech and took questions from Fox News…Melissa Quinn -
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Sean Hannity to Put Jeb Bush on Hot Seat in CPAC Treat for Conservatives
Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush will take questions from conservative commentator Sean Hannity in what sounds like a must-see matchup Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, D.C., The Daily Signal has learned. The move by the former Florida governor to face his conservative critics head-on through Hannity, a longtime champion of “bold…Ken McIntyre -
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Boehner: House ‘Has Done Its Job,’ Homeland Security Funding Up to Senate Democrats
House Speaker John Boehner said today that if funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires on Feb. 27, then the responsibility lies with Senate Democrats. During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Boehner, R-Ohio, said he is “certainly” prepared to allow the agency to shut down because Senate Democrats “would be to blame.” “The House has done…Kate Scanlon -
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Mitch McConnell Concedes Homeland Security Funding Bill Is ‘Stuck’ in Senate
In a move that surprised some Republicans in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters his chamber is “stuck” in its standoff with Democrats over funding the Department of Homeland Security. He put the onus on the House of Representatives to come up with a solution. “I think it’s clearly stuck in the Senate,…Kelsey Bolar -
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Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Gets Plum Spot at Conservative Gathering
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is high on the list of dream White House candidates for some conservatives, has grabbed a prime speaking slot at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, convening later this month outside Washington, D.C. The Daily Signal has learned that Pence will be the keynote speaker at CPAC’s Ronald Reagan Dinner on…Ken McIntyre -
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9 Interesting Facts About Lindsey Graham
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced Thursday that he is actively exploring the possibility of a presidential run in 2016. >>> Update: Graham declared his candidacy for president June 1 in his hometown of Central, S.C., saying: “I want to be president to defeat the enemies trying to kill us, not just penalize them or criticize them…Kate Scanlon -
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Rand Paul Slams Federal Reserve’s Secrecy, Reintroduces Bill to ‘Audit the Fed’
Sen. Rand Paul is reviving his push to audit the Federal Reserve. The Kentucky Republican and presumptive 2016 presidential candidate said he wants to bring several of the Fed’s monetary activities under congressional oversight. In a statement released Monday, Paul said it was time to end the secrecy behind the Fed. He believes an audit…Ben Smith -
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Ted Cruz Pushes Plan to Criminalize Political Targeting by IRS
Sen. Ted Cruz wants to protect taxpayers from political targeting by the Internal Revenue Service. The Texas Republican introduced legislation yesterday making it crime to engage in such behavior as questions still linger about the full extent of the IRS scandal. This is not the first time Cruz has offered this type of legislation. In February 2014,…Ben Smith -
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How a Group of Kids Made John Boehner Break Down in Tears
Speaking at a school choice rally this morning, House Speaker John Boehner broke down in tears about his own educational upbringing at a Catholic school in Ohio. “I’ve got 11 brothers and sisters, grew up working at my dad’s bar,” Boehner said before a group of students. “And my parents sent all 12 of us to…Daily Signal Staff -
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Indiana’s Mike Pence Latest Republican Governor to Expand Medicaid
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence became the latest Republican governor to expand Medicaid in his state through what he billed as a series of “consumer-driven” reforms. But conservative groups are pushing back against the potential 2016 contender for growing an “already troubled entitlement program.” Pence announced his decision to expand Medicaid in Indiana yesterday. The Indiana…Melissa Quinn -
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Boehner Finalizing Plans to Pursue Legal Action Against Obama on Immigration
House Speaker John Boehner told Republicans in a closed-door meeting today that he is moving towards a plan to authorize legal action against the White House over President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. According to a source who attended the meeting, Boehner, R-Ohio, told lawmakers that the House will pursue a legal course that “gives…Josh Siegel -
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Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio ‘Surround’ Rand Paul in Opposing Obama’s Cuba Policy
U.S. relations with Cuba provided one of the few flash points last night as three Republican senators with their eyes on the White House met in California for a forum sponsored by conservative campaign donors. “I’m kind of surrounded on this one,” Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky quipped as he sat between his Cuban-American colleagues,…Ken McIntyre -
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How Nikki Haley Plans to Make South Carolina More Competitive
The governor of South Carolina has proposed lowering the state’s income tax rate from 7 percent to 5 percent, accompanied by a 10 cent hike in the state’s gas tax. In her annual State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., said the state’s income tax puts it at a competitive “disadvantage.” “In order…Kate Scanlon -
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Acting Alone, Boehner Invites Netanyahu to Speak to Congress
House Speaker John Boehner has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress next month. The topic of the Feb. 11 speech will be Iran. Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters today that he did not consult with the White House before inviting Netanyahu, saying “the Congress can make this decision on its own.” White…Ben Smith -
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Congressman Who Voted for Rand Paul as Speaker to Give Tea Party Response
Curt Clawson, a congressman from Florida’s 19th district who assumed office in 2014, has been selected by Tea Party Express to rebut the president’s State of the Union. Very honored to accept the opportunity from @TeaPartyExpress to give a response to the SOTU and offer real solutions for America’s future. — Rep. Curt Clawson (@RepCurtClawson)…Ben Smith -
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Rand Paul on Mitt Romney’s 2016 Run: ‘It’s Time for Some Fresh Blood’
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney doesn’t have the support of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul as he explores a presidential bid. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal today, Paul dismissed Romney’s possible third run and said that Romney had previously failed to “attract a big enough constituency to win.” “I think he’s had his…Melissa Quinn -
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The 10 Ways Ted Cruz Thinks He Can Make Your Life Better
Ted Cruz is ready to bring big change to Washington—one bill at a time. Speaking yesterday at Heritage Action's 2015 Conservative Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., the Texas senator outlined his 10 policy goals for the new Republican-controlled Congress. In doing so, Cruz stressed the importance of the GOP fulfilling the promises it made last…Kelsey Bolar -
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60 Seconds With Ted Cruz: How Should GOP Handle Homeland Security Funding in Wake of Paris Terror Attacks?
In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, The Daily Signal asked Texas Sen. Ted Cruz whether he believes it is appropriate to have a debate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security in order to stop President Obama’s immigration executive actions. “At the end of the day, the person threatening DHS funding is…Kelsey Bolar -
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Boehner: ‘I’m the Most Anti-Establishment Speaker We’ve Ever Had’
House Speaker John Boehner couldn’t disagree more with conservatives who label him an “establishment” Republican and a “squish.” In fact, while speaking at his first press conference since surviving the most divisive speaker election in more than a century, the Ohio Republican argued he is the “most anti-establishment speaker we’ve ever had.” “I tell you…Melissa Quinn