Some Republicans start to sour on Trump’s agenda
Sen. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD); Image: Anna Moneymaker
Four Republican lawmakers broke from party leadership on Wednesday, joining Democrats in a 215-208 House vote directing President Trump to end US military involvement in Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes the conflict.
- The House measure is largely symbolic and wouldn't force any immediate changes to US policy.
- The Senate is weighing a similar proposal, but would need a veto-proof two-thirds majority to enact any legislation into law without Trump’s support.
A pattern emerges
In recent weeks, a growing number of Republican lawmakers have raised concerns or voiced opposition to several new Trump administration priorities.
“Anti-Weaponization” fund: A proposed $1.8 billion federal fund created by a DOJ settlement with Trump’s personal lawyers has drawn strong opposition from Republicans in Congress. Sen. Ted Cruz said roughly half of the Senate GOP conference voiced concerns with the fund in a closed-door meeting with AG Todd Blanche, questioning its cost, oversight, and legal basis. The Trump admin has said the fund is dead, though Trump declined to commit to scrapping it permanently.
White House ballroom: Trump's proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom has also sparked resistance among some Republicans, particularly over a related $1 billion security package tied to the project. Critics have questioned whether the administration has adequately justified the funding request as lawmakers continue debating federal spending priorities.
Cabinet nominees: Some GOP senators are pushing back on Trump’s recent picks of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence and Todd Blanche for attorney general, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).
Aid for Ukraine: Six House Republicans joined Democrats on Wednesday to push through a vote on military aid for Ukraine, after Republicans had previously halted efforts to provide additional support for Ukraine under Trump’s direction.
Zoom out: Some 40.3% of Americans currently approve of President Trump’s job performance, while 57.1% disapprove, according to RealClearPolitics' average of recent national polls.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that President Trump has weakened his own agenda by targeting Republicans he views as disloyal, creating tensions within his party that have made it harder to build support in Congress and advance key pieces of his legislative agenda.
- Others contend that Congress has failed to act as a meaningful check on President Trump’s use of taxpayer dollars, arguing that lawmakers should do more to rein in projects that primarily serve the president’s personal or political interests, and also strengthen oversight of executive spending to prevent potential abuses of power.
- “Trump’s petty revenge tour is squandering his political trifecta” –Chris Hayes, MSNOW
- “Congress must put guardrails on Trump’s vanity projects, spending” –Seattle Times Editorial Board
- “Congress Should Say No to Funding the Ballroom” –National Review Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that congressional efforts to limit President Trump's options in Iran send a dangerous signal to adversaries abroad, weakening America’s negotiating leverage and undermining the president's ability to pressure Iran into making meaningful concessions on its nuclear program and regional activities.
- Others contend that the controversy surrounding President Trump's proposed "Anti-Weaponization Fund" highlights a broader problem with executive power, arguing that Congress should strengthen oversight of government settlement funds to ensure taxpayer dollars cannot be used by any administration to reward political allies or bypass the legislative process.
- “Congress Puts Donald Trump’s Iran Strategy on the Clock” –Potomac Watch, WSJ
- “Trump’s ‘weaponization fund’ retreat” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “Trump may already be a lame duck” –Washington Examiner Editorial Board
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