After its members passed a resolution censuring GOP Representatives Liz Cheney from Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger from Illinois for their work in the House panel investigating January 6’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, and declaring the actions of the rioters “legitimate politics discourse,”
Many GOP senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have rebuked national party over Friday’s resolution. They said Republicans should focus on defeating Democrats in 2022 midterm elections, rather than attacking or alienating members of their party.
“It was a violent rebellion for the purpose to try to prevent peaceful transfer of power following a legitimately certificated election from one administration. McConnell stated Tuesday that it was the January 6th attack.
He said that the issue with the RNC-passed RNC resolution is whether or not the national party committee should “single out members of our parties who may have differing views from the majority.” This is not the RNC’s job.
Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa, said Tuesday that the purpose of a political party is to attract as many members as possible. I like to think about the Republican Party being a big-tent political party. Everyone is welcome. But, I also like to think that we are candidates, but our party is focusing on 2022 and taking control of Congress.
Senator Susan Collins, Maine, stated Monday evening that Republicans started 2022 with a “decided edge” on issues crucial to the outcome in the November election.
She warned that “every second spent relitigating an election lost or defending people convicted of criminal conduct moves us further from the goal to win this fall.”
The RNC was asked to “immediately stop any and all support of Cheney or Kinzinger as members of GOP” and that their conduct “has been detrimental to the institution of U.S. House of Representatives and the Republican Party and our republic and is inconsistent with conference position.”
The resolution also reprimanded the pair for participating in a Democrat led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged with legitimate political discourse,” a description of the events that occurred on January 6. This was criticized by GOP senators.
Reporters Monday were told by Senator Mitt Romney from Utah that it was an inappropriate message. “One, to sanction the two individuals of such character. Number two is to suggest that a violent attack upon the seat of democracy constitutes legitimate political discourse.
Romney claimed that he sent text messages to Ronna McDaniel (his niece) about the resolution and shared his “points of view.”
Romney spoke out about the potential impact of the measure on the success of the Republicans in November’s election. He said: “Anything my party does that appears stupid is not going help us.”
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis stated that voters are worried about the economy, COVID-19 and the future and that they want their elected officials to focus on the future.
He also dismissed the idea that those who entered the Capitol and broke into the building to temporarily stop the counting of state electoral votes were engaged in legitimate political discourse.
Tillis stated Tuesday that “the moment you entered the Capitol Building, it wasn’t discourse, it was disorder.” “And people who crossed that line — there was no doubt in my mind that there were people there to voice their opinions. They returned home peacefully. They should be held responsible for their actions. Anyone who entered the Capitol complex is no different from entering a home, or business. This is not discourse.
However, some House Republicans leaders were less critical of RNC’s resolution.
“The RNC has every authority to take any action,” stated Elise Stefanik, a congresswoman from New York who succeeded Cheney as GOP conference chair. “And my position is that you are ultimately responsible to the voters in your district, and voters whom you represent. We’ll hear the opinions and feedback of voters very quickly this year.
Stefanik stated that Republicans “condemn violence on January 6.”
After she voted for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump, House Republicans removed Cheney as conference chair. Nancy Pelosi had her and Kinzinger appointed to the select committee that examined the attack and the events surrounding it in July. A group of conservative lawmakers then called for Cheney and Kinzinger out of the Republican conference to accept the appointments.
