As advertised…..
Republican lawmakers are wary of their party’s propensity for self-inflicted wounds and are hoping for more discipline heading into the next election cycle.
Leading Republicans think that the House GOP’s raucous reception of President Biden at last week’s State of the Union played into the president’s hands and that the proposal by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to sunset all federal legislation after five years is a political gift to Democrats.
Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are dismayed that Scott hasn’t disavowed his 12-point plan to “Rescue America,” despite repeated Democratic attacks, and they are disappointed by lapses in message discipline, such as Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) call for annual votes on Medicare and Social Security, which he described as “a legal Ponzi scheme.”
Johnson says that doesn’t mean he wants to cut Social Security, but some of his colleagues worry that Republicans are already giving Democrats too much ammo heading into the 2024 election….
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Some Republican senators say they weren’t thrilled with the jeering and raucous reception Biden received from House Republicans at last week’s State of the Union address, which appeared to play into the president’s hands in front of a national television audience….
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“I think we’re missing an opportunity to differentiate,” he said. “Focus on policy. If you get that done, it will age well.”
Another Republican senator who requested anonymity to comment on House colleagues said that decorum is good for the party’s brand.
“We ought to be polite and respectful to each other. This is not theater. It’s governing,” the senator said, commenting on the unruly reactions to Biden’s speech last week. “It’s damaging to the politics. It appeals to a handful of people and turns off a whole bunch more.”….