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.
-
- Opinion
Rand Paul on Ferguson: ‘I Mostly Blame Politicians’
Sen. Rand Paul castigated politicians in an op-ed today about the unrest in Ferguson, Mo. “In the search for culpability for the tragedy in Ferguson, I mostly blame politicians,” wrote the Kentucky Republican in Time. “Michael Brown’s death and the suffocation of Eric Garner in New York for selling untaxed cigarettes indicate something is wrong…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Ted Cruz on ‘SNL’ Skit: ‘Really Sums Up What the President Is Doing’
You can count Sen. Ted Cruz as a fan of the “Saturday Night Live” parody of President Obama’s executive action on immigration. On this morning’s “Fox and Friends,” Cruz said the skit “really sums up what the president is doing.” ‘Saturday Night Live’ had the president coming out, pushing the bill down the steps of…Kate Scanlon -
- News
An Obama Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline Would Be ‘Equivalent of Calling the American People Stupid,’ Boehner Says
House Speaker John Boehner had a firm warning for President Obama this morning: Vetoing a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline would be the “equivalent of calling the American people ‘stupid.’ ” “Vetoing an overwhelmingly popular bill would be a clear indication that he doesn’t care about the American people’s priorities,” Boehner said. The Ohio…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Rand Paul: ‘Dumb’ Focus on Voter ID Could Squander GOP’s ‘Huge Opportunity’ to Win Black Voters
Sen. Rand Paul today said it would be a “dumb idea” for Republicans to focus on voter ID laws because doing so would turn off black voters, whom the GOP has a “huge opportunity” to attract. Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Kentucky Republican and likely presidential candidate stressed that he supports requiring identification to vote…Josh Siegel -
- News
Exclusive: Rand Paul Says Obama Thinks He Can ‘Act Like a King’
Taking a break from campaign stops for fellow Republicans, Sen. Rand Paul was back in Washington, D.C., yesterday to deliver a keynote address at The Heritage Foundation’s semiannual President’s Club meeting. Afterward, in an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal, the Kentucky Republican answered questions on President Obama’s plans to implement administrative amnesty following the…Jackie Anderson -
- News
Caught on Tape: Lindsey Graham Riffs on White Men and Baptists in Leaked Recordings
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is considering a run for president, was caught on tape at a private gathering this month saying, “White men who are in male-only clubs are going to do great in my presidency.” In the meeting, Graham, a Republican, also joked about Baptists, saying “they’re the ones who drink and…Josh Siegel -
- News
8 Highlights From Rand Paul’s Foreign Policy Speech
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., delivered a speech on Thursday outlining his foreign policy philosophy. Paul, widely regarded as a potential 2016 presidential candidate, delivered his remarks at the Center for the National Interest, a non-partisan think-tank. “I want to spell out for you what I believe to be the principles of a national security strategy…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Rand Paul Explains How GOP Can Win A Third of the Black Vote
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Politico that the GOP could win one third of the black vote in 2016 by promoting “criminal-justice reform, school choice and economic empowerment.” In a phone interview with Politico, Paul said: If Republicans have a clue and do this and go out and ask every African-American for their vote, I think…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Corporations That ‘Sponsor Climate Lies’ Should Get ‘Death Penalty’
In an op-ed published earlier this week for EcoWatch, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called for all organizations that “deliberately, purposefully, maliciously and systematically sponsor climate lies” to undergo the corporate equivalent of the death penalty. “This can be accomplished through an existing legal proceeding known as ‘charter revocation,’” Kennedy wrote. “State Attorneys General can invoke this remedy…Katie Nielsen -
- News
Opposing John Boehner for Speaker Could Come With Repercussions
Conservatives planning to buck the status quo and oppose the reelection of John Boehner as House speaker have received a warning shot. Sources on Capitol Hill say dissenters could be stripped of their committee assignments should they fail to support the two-term speaker. There haven’t been any public challenges to Boehner, though reports have surfaced…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Boehner: Ground Troops Needed to Defeat ISIS ‘Barbarians’
House Speaker John Boehner said today the United States should send ground forces to fight the militant Islamic State if no other country does. .@SpeakerBoehner on ISIS: “Somebody’s boots have to be on the ground.” “At the end of the day, I think it’s gonna take more than airstrikes to drive them outta there,” the…Josh Siegel -
- News
Ted Cruz Slams Obama’s ‘Photo-Op Foreign Policy’
Moments after President Obama spoke to the nation Wednesday night about the threat posed by the Islamic State, Sen. Ted Cruz told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly that the administration’s strategy was insufficient. “The Obama-Clinton foreign policy has been characterized by photo-op foreign policy,” Cruz said. “What has been missing is a concrete military objective to…Daily Signal Staff -
- News
How Ted Cruz Would Defeat ISIS
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Sunday he hopes President Obama seeks congressional approval in taking military action against the Islamic State, the terrorist group also known as ISIS or ISIL. Obama’s ISIS military action ‘absolutely’ needs congressional approval, says @SenTedCruz “What we ought to have is a direct, concerted, overwhelming air campaign to take them…Josh Siegel -
- News
With an Eye to 2016, Rand Paul Does Free Eye Surgeries in Guatemala
At a time when some Republicans considering presidential campaigns are trying to show their compassionate sides, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., took on a mission to help the poor a world away. Paul, an ophthalmologist, conducted dozens of eye surgeries at no charge over three days in Salama, Guatemala, joining a team of other doctors from the John A….Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Rand Paul’s Confusing Views on Marriage
Where does Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., stand on the issue of marriage? If you go to his own website to find out, you’ll come away empty-handed. Marriage isn’t a category in the list of topics under the “Issues” tab. When you simply search the word “marriage” on Paul’s site you get zero findings. Without a…Genevieve Wood -
- Opinion
Rand Paul: ‘Big Government Has Been at the Heart of the Problem’ in Ferguson
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., today blasted “big government” in response to the current situation in Ferguson, Mo. In an op-ed published in Time, Paul wrote, “Not surprisingly, big government has been at the heart of the problem.” He continued: “Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal…Katrina Trinko -
- News
McCain, Graham Call on Obama to Take More Aggressive Action in Iraq
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., sounded off against President Obama’s decision to launch multiple air strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) on Sunday, calling it “ineffective” and “narrow.” “The president made it clear that this was to avert the humanitarian crisis, that they were taking these actions to protect American military…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Q&A: 10 Things You Need to Know About Boehner Suing Obama
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to authorize Speaker John Boehner to file a lawsuit challenging President Obama’s failure to fully implement Obamacare. Specifically, the lawsuit will challenge the administration’s delay of the employer mandate—requiring many employers to provide health insurance or pay a fine—that was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1. It’s…Elizabeth Slattery -
- News
It’s Not What You Think: Hannity Explores Hamas Tunnel Into Israel
Want a look inside the secret tunnels that terrorist group Hamas has used to infiltrate Israel? Take a tour with Sean Hannity. The Fox News host traveled 40 feet underground with an Israel Defense Forces guide to explore one of the sophisticated passages. Among facts viewers learn: At a cost likely exceeding $2 million apiece, the…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Rand Paul Joins Forfeiture Reform Movement
On Thursday, forfeiture-reform advocates gained a new ally when Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced his “Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act” or “FAIR Act,” which takes direct aim at some of the most abuse-prone provisions of federal civil forfeiture law. Federal civil forfeiture laws allow police to seize money and property if they suspect it is…Jason Snead