‘No one elected her’: GOP infighting ensues over Trumps legislative plans

Republican lawmakers are split over major policy bills influenced by President-Elect Donald Trump’s priorities — immigration, taxes, and energy — which new Senate leader John Thune (R-SD) said earlier this week he wants to push through within the first 30 days of Trump’s presidency.The GOP lawmakers are planning to use a reconciliation bill — which allows for bypassing Democratic votes — in order to successfully pass the legislation. However, Politico reports:A number of House Republicans, including committee chairs key to pulling off the plan, are already raising red flags over the strategy, saying they don’t feel the need to stick to that. The disconnect illustrates the challenge that Republican leaders will have next term: They can preach unity, but they have no room for error as they wrangle at-times raucous members with varied priorities.READ MORE: New Senate GOP leader plans push for ‘major partisan bills’ in Trump’s first 30 days: reportAccording to the news outlet, “House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan(R-Ohio) pointed to pushback from Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.), adding that: ‘We’ve got members who have some concerns.'”Thune told Politico, “We have to all be on the same page.”He added, “Sometimes it’s challenging because you’ve got to have a House, Senate and White House all pulled in the same direction.”Far-right Freedom Caucus member Rep. Chip Roy (Texas) said, “I remain of the belief that we ought to deliver very quickly on a reconciliation package that has core tenets of the things we want to accomplish in terms of border and fees and so forth, IRA repeal, then some elements of tax policy. And then maybe do a second version that gets at true long-standing permanent tax reform.”READ MORE: House GOP facing ‘major political hurdles’ with party’s key political promiseAnother far-right House member — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — “hinted” to Politico “that she believes Republicans should challenge the Senate parliamentarian if she determines that any of the border and immigration policies Republicans try to put into the bill don’t fall within the strict rules of budget reconciliation.”Greene emphasized, “No one elected her, so she should not stop the will of the people.”Politico’s full report is available at this link.

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