By John Q. Hosedrinker House Republicans’ Majority Just Shrank Even More. Let the Chaos Begin.
As someone who closely follows the political landscape, the recent news of House Republicans losing more seats is both intriguing and concerning. The sharks are circling, sensing the blood of the Republican party in the water, and they are not backing down. This shrinking majority in the House of Representatives is likely to make it even harder for Congress to accomplish anything in the new session. All it takes is three Republican lawmakers dissenting, and the party will no longer have the power to pass legislation. On the other hand, if Democrats win over just four Republicans, they could turn the tables and push through their own agenda.
Last year, Democrats managed to pass 20 bills that were signed into law. But with this slim majority, we can hope for even fewer bills to be passed this year. It’s almost comical to think that the GOP might go into the 2024 elections with nothing more to show than approving Nancy Pelosi’s budget for two years. It’s a golden opportunity for Democrats, and we all have a role to play in it.
With each vacant seat comes the chance for a special election to fill it, presenting an opportunity to flip the seat. While some seats are heavily Republican, like Bill Johnson’s and Kevin McCarthy’s, there are others, like the one held by George Santos, that are more favorable for Democrats. Santos’ seat voted for Biden by 8 points, and with a concerted effort, we can work towards flipping this seat and getting closer to swiping the majority. Voting by mail has already begun, and the early voting period is approaching, so the time is now to start contacting voters and making a difference.
It’s easy to get caught up in news stories that we have no control over, but this is something tangible that we can do to make a difference. By focusing on these special elections and mobilizing the support needed, we can contribute to the larger goal of shifting the balance of power in the House. The Republicans may be quietly quitting, but we should not become complacent. It’s crucial to stay engaged and ensure that our voices are heard through the power of voting.
The state of the Republican party is fragile, and each loss of a seat only exacerbates the chaos within. The Republican party, as we knew it several years ago, will never be the same again. It’s disheartening to see how a party, especially during a time of global conflict, can self-sabotage its own country. The timing couldn’t be worse, and it’s baffling that they fail to see the consequences of their actions.
The question remains, what has the Republican House accomplished so far in terms of legislation? Unfortunately, the answer is not much. During the first half of its two-year session, the 118th Congress passed less than 30 bills through both chambers. This is astonishingly low compared to the 300 to 450 laws that are typically passed per session. It’s clear that the current crop of Republicans aims to do as little as possible for the country while reaping the benefits for themselves.
The illiteracy within the MAGA caucus is glaring, and it begs the question of whether there should be minimum requirements to run for office, such as basic intelligence or passing a current events test. The current state of the Republican party is a sinking ship, and it’s time to schedule its funeral. The MAGA caucus has brought it to the brink of demise with their extremist agenda and refusal to compromise.
Divided government can often lead to moderate bills being passed, but the real problem lies with the Freedom Caucus, which makes compromise impossible. Republicans, unfortunately, have ceased to govern effectively. It’s infuriating to witness the finger-pointing and poison pen letters instead of the job we elected them to do. The low number of bills passed should outrage more people. If our productivity dropped that much in our jobs, most of us would be fired.
I must admit that I have written off this Congress from the start. They have shown a lack of seriousness and dedication to governance. I only hope that we can make it to January 2025 with a functioning government. The chaos and dysfunction within the House of Representatives are disheartening, to say the least.
While it may be tempting to indulge in the fantasy that four GOP members will join forces with the Democrats to pass legislation, it is highly unlikely. They haven’t denounced a rapist and traitor, so expecting them to work in favor of the American people seems far-fetched. The GOP members are caught between a rock and a hard place. They can either stay the course and lose the support of Independents, or cooperate with Democrats and lose their MAGA base along with Trump’s blessing.
In the end, all we can do is vote. We must vote out these inept and incompetent politicians who prioritize personal gain over the well-being of the American people. The recent news of Bill Johnson leaving Congress to take a university president gig comes as a breath of fresh air. Good for him for escaping the soul-sucking environment of the House GOP.
The current state of affairs in the House of Representatives is chaotic, to say the least. The Republican majority continues to shrink, leaving the chamber primed for an unproductive session. It’s time for us, as engaged citizens, to work towards flipping seats and shifting the power dynamics. The path towards progress lies in our hands, and it’s up to us to make a difference. Let us not be distracted by news stories we cannot control, but instead, focus on tangible actions that can bring about positive change. Together, we can reshape the future of our government and pave the way for meaningful legislation.