House Republicans Defect on Key Votes
Republicans in the House are being thwarted by ... Republicans in the House.
Although GOP leaders expected unity in the ranks, enabling them to battle the Democratic majority during the initial 100 hours of the new Congress, it hasn't exactly unfolded that way, the Washington Post reports.
According to the Post, there is less pressure in GOP lawmakers because they are no longer in the majority. Also, longtime no-nonsense leaders like former Rep. Tom DeLay are no longer around to crack the whip. That has resulted in more Republicans expressing a more moderate sentiment in their voting.
House Republican leaders, who confidently predicted they would drive a wedge through the new Democratic majority, have found their own party splintering, with Republican lawmakers siding with Democrats in droves on the House's opening legislative blitz.
The narrowest margin came over last week's bill to require the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare. It attracted 24 Republicans. Sixty-eight Republicans voted for a Democratic homeland security bill, and a minimum-wage increase garnered the support of 82.
Getting to be more RINOs (Republicans in name only)in Washington
