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
23 Conservative Leaders Warn Boehner Not to Punish GOP Dissenters
A coalition of 23 leaders in the conservative movement today urged Speaker John Boehner not to punish Republicans who voted against him for the House’s top job. Boehner, who removed two of those dissenters from the powerful Rules Committee after the speaker vote, is now rethinking the decision, according to Politico. A total of 25…Robert B. Bluey -
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Mick Mulvaney Defends His Boehner Vote, Dubbing the Attempted Overthrow a ‘Fool’s Errand’
Two years ago, Rep. Mick Mulvaney learned a lesson in the often-conniving game of politics. The South Carolina conservative was part of the trickle of Republicans attempting to oust John Boehner as speaker of the House in 2013. Like Tuesday, the coup failed and Mulvaney’s hopes for greater conservative leadership ended in backlash. “Conservatives were…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Why So Many Republicans Wouldn’t Vote for Boehner as Speaker
Today, John Boehner won the job as speaker of the House for the new 114th Congress. He won the job despite by surviving the most divisive speaker election in more than 100 years. According to a report by the Congressional Research Service looking at House speaker races from 1913 to 2013, no other speaker has…Genevieve Wood -
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The 25 Republicans Who Did Not Vote for John Boehner
House Speaker John Boehner was elected to his third term as the No. 1 Republican in the lower chamber, but not without resistance from more than two-dozen fellow GOP lawmakers. Boehner collected 216 votes. Former speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., his closest rival, received 164. Republicans needed 29 defectors to defeat Boehner. Twenty-five lawmakers did not vote for…Paul Runko -
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John Boehner Elected to Third Term as House Speaker
Today, members of the U.S. House of Representatives elected Ohio Republican John Boehner to his third term as speaker of the House. Boehner won 216 votes of the 408 votes cast. The nominations for the top House post from Republicans were Boehner, Ted Yoho and Daniel Webster of Florida and Louie Gohmert of Texas. Democrats nominated Rep….Melissa Quinn -
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What You Need to Know About Daniel Webster, Who Is Running Against Boehner for Speaker
A late challenger to House Speaker John Boehner has emerged in the 11th hour as lawmakers gather to address their first order of business. Florida Rep. Daniel Webster, who served as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, has emerged as a viable opponent to current Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, just one hour before lawmakers…Melissa Quinn -
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The 9 Republicans Opposing House Speaker John Boehner
As lawmakers prepare to kick off the 114th Congress tomorrow, a group of nine Republican members say they won’t support House Speaker John Boehner in his quest to serve a third term as the House’s leader. Dubbed the “Gang of Nine” by Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine, who announced his opposition to Boehner last week, two…Melissa Quinn -
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‘Time for a Change’: Louie Gohmert to Challenge Boehner for House Speaker
In announcing his bid today for speaker of the House of Representative, Rep. Louie Gohmert promised to be the engine of change that conservatives have been calling for in their rebellion against the establishment wing of the Republican Party. If elected speaker, @RepLouieGohmert says he will “fight amnesty tooth and nail.” “It is time for…Josh Siegel -
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Texas, Florida Republicans Step Forward as Alternatives to Boehner for Speaker
In daring moves just days before the next election for House speaker, two Republican congressman have offered themselves as alternatives to incumbent Speaker John Boehner, the party establishment’s choice. Reps. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., and Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, announced they would oppose Boehner this weekend. The Daily Signal has learned several Republicans also are weighing a…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
Why I Will Not Vote for John Boehner to Be House Speaker
The day after Republicans won the largest majority in the House of Representatives in almost 100 years and won a significant majority in the Senate, our liberal activist president claimed to hear the voices of all the people who didn’t vote. It was another example of stunning obstinacy from this president. It seemed Democrats were…Rep. Jim Bridenstine -
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Rand Paul Celebrates Festivus With List of Grievances, Hints at 2016
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., took to Twitter today in his second annual “airing of grievances” in celebration of “Seinfeld’s” trademark holiday, Festivus. HAPPY FESTIVUS! May ur pole be straight, ur feats be strong & your grievances be few. With love from the Costanzas – Frank, Estelle, George — jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) December 23, 2014 The…Natalie Johnson -
- News
Marco Rubio, Rand Paul Duke It Out Over Cuba Policy
President Obama’s new Cuba policy is sparking heated debate among potential 2016 contenders, escalating today following Sen. Marco Rubio’s attack on Sen. Rand Paul’s opposing position. The Florida senator, whose parents came to America from Cuba, told Megyn Kelly last night that Paul “has no idea what he’s talking about” regarding Cuba. Rubio was referring…Natalie Johnson -
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Jeff Sessions Bows Out of Race for Budget Chair Against Friend Mike Enzi
In a race that pitted two close friends against one another, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., has decided not to pursue the chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee, leaving Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., as the panel’s new leader. “My good friend Mike and I have been close since we both entered the Senate together 18 years…Melissa Quinn -
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Ted Cruz: ‘I’m Not Trying to Play the Washington Rules, I’m Trying to Change the Rules’
Facing a series of tough questions from Fox News’ Bret Baier tonight, Sen. Ted Cruz defended his actions over the weekend to force a Senate vote to defund President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. “Every single Senate Democrat is now on record supporting the president’s unconstitutional amnesty,” says @SenTedCruz The rare weekend session drew complaints…Daily Signal Staff -
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Ted Cruz, Mike Lee Say They’re Not to Blame for Confirmation of Obama Nominees
As the 113th Congress draws to a close, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah are facing harsh criticism from colleagues for supposedly opening the door to confirmation of presidential nominees — a claim Lee’s office said is “a complete fabrication.” Through a series of procedural moves, Lee and Cruz tried…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Ted Cruz Strikes Back: ‘Too Many Republicans Willing to Be Complicit’
In the midst of the debate over a mammoth government spending bill, Republicans and Democrats found something to agree on: their dislike for Sen. Ted Cruz, who forced a rare weekend session for the Senate. But rather than back down, Cruz opted to call out Washington politicians on Sean Hannity’s radio show Monday. “Too many…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
Tim Scott: Why Marriage Matters for Fighting Poverty
After 50 years of the War on Poverty with little results, it’s time for a new path forward. In a speech at the 2014 Heritage Antipoverty Forum, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., described his vision to lift more Americans out of poverty. Scott’s speech emphasized an often-overlooked factor contributing to opportunity: marriage. He spoke of the…Leslie Ford -
- News
Conservatives Blast Boehner for Funding ‘Obama’s Amnesty’
Moments after the House narrowly passed a government spending bill, Reps. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., spoke to Fox News’ Sean Hannity about their opposition. The two outspoken conservatives criticized Republican leaders for advancing a spending plan they say will allow Obama to carry out his executive actions to shield millions of illegal…Daily Signal Staff -
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Ted Cruz: No One Is Above the Law, ‘Especially the President’
The rule of law as outlined in the Magna Carta eight centuries ago remains significant in government even today, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said yesterday in a major foreign policy address at The Heritage Foundation. Even England’s monarch was subject to the law and no one then or now is above it, “especially the president,”…Daily Signal Staff -
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Ted Cruz on Obama’s Foreign Policy: ‘Weakness Is Provocative’
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has surveyed what he calls “the Obama-Clinton foreign policy,” and he does not like what he sees. Speaking Wednesday at The Heritage Foundation, Cruz condemned current policy as “appeasement and moral equivalency.” "When America recedes from the world, the world is more dangerous,” says @SenTedCruz. Said Cruz: “One of the sad…Kate Scanlon