Republicans are feeling good about their chances of retaking the House next year. But there's also plenty that can get in their way.House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney has doubled down on her criticism of former President Donald Trump and noted that Republicans lost the House, Senate and White House on his watch. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesORLANDO — For House Republicans, it’s less about how they can win back the majority and more about: How do they avoid messing things up?That’s the question on the minds of GOP lawmakers as they huddle in America’s theme park haven for their three-day...…Republicans are feeling good about their chances of retaking the House next year. But there's also plenty that can get in their way.House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney has doubled down on her criticism of former President Donald Trump and noted that Republicans lost the House, Senate and White House on his watch. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesORLANDO — For House Republicans, it’s less about how they can win back the majority and more about: How do they avoid messing things up?That’s the question on the minds of GOP lawmakers as they huddle in America’s theme park haven for their three-day...WW…

The apparent broadside from the House minority leader comes amid reports that pro-Trump lawmakers are planning to launch a group to fight for MAGA priorities in Congress.“America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work. It isn’t built on identity, race, or religion,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy declared Friday that the GOP is not the party of “nativist dog whistles” — an indirect swipe at a new right-wing caucus being formed inside his...…The apparent broadside from the House minority leader comes amid reports that pro-Trump lawmakers are planning to launch a group to fight for MAGA priorities in Congress.“America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work. It isn’t built on identity, race, or religion,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy declared Friday that the GOP is not the party of “nativist dog whistles” — an indirect swipe at a new right-wing caucus being formed inside his...WW…

Some of House Democrats’ most vulnerable members are blanching at potentially unseating GOP Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks.Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won her congressional seat in November by six votes. | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via APThe prospect of a floor vote to overturn a contested congressional race in Iowa has suddenly become a real dilemma for House Democrats’ most vulnerable members.Moderate Democrats are privately squirming over the possibility that they could be forced to choose a winner in the race for Iowa’s 2nd district, where the GOP candidate, now-Rep....…Some of House Democrats’ most vulnerable members are blanching at potentially unseating GOP Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks.Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won her congressional seat in November by six votes. | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via APThe prospect of a floor vote to overturn a contested congressional race in Iowa has suddenly become a real dilemma for House Democrats’ most vulnerable members.Moderate Democrats are privately squirming over the possibility that they could be forced to choose a winner in the race for Iowa’s 2nd district, where the GOP candidate, now-Rep....WW…

If GOP lawmakers refuse to relent in their delay tactics, it would mean a slog of votes on mundane issues.“I didn’t think anything was heated. People are passionate,” Rep. Andy Biggs said after the meeting, though he declined to discuss what happened inside. | Patrick Semansky/AP PhotoA leading Republican hard-liner clashed behind closed doors with House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, exposing a rift in the Republican conference and suggesting that a chamber-rattling floor protest by the far right isn’t fading anytime soon.During a closed-door conference meeting, House Freedom...…If GOP lawmakers refuse to relent in their delay tactics, it would mean a slog of votes on mundane issues.“I didn’t think anything was heated. People are passionate,” Rep. Andy Biggs said after the meeting, though he declined to discuss what happened inside. | Patrick Semansky/AP PhotoA leading Republican hard-liner clashed behind closed doors with House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, exposing a rift in the Republican conference and suggesting that a chamber-rattling floor protest by the far right isn’t fading anytime soon.During a closed-door conference meeting, House Freedom...WW…

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state said her role may be helping Republicans "return to who we are."In Jaime Herrera Beutler's view, a member of Congress' toughest challenge is "when your own team does something you don't like, and you have to step out and oppose them." | Al Drago/Getty ImagesJaime Herrera Beutler is not one to make waves on Capitol Hill. But during Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial, she almost created a tsunami.After she publicly revealed damaging details about Trump’s phone call with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) during the Jan. 6...…Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state said her role may be helping Republicans "return to who we are."In Jaime Herrera Beutler's view, a member of Congress' toughest challenge is "when your own team does something you don't like, and you have to step out and oppose them." | Al Drago/Getty ImagesJaime Herrera Beutler is not one to make waves on Capitol Hill. But during Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial, she almost created a tsunami.After she publicly revealed damaging details about Trump’s phone call with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) during the Jan. 6...WW…

House and Senate Republicans are taking divergent stances toward President Joe Biden, even as they unite in opposition to his coronavirus bill.Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference. | Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesTechnically they belong to the same party. But on a growing number of issues, House and Senate Republicans might as well live on different political planets.And much of the intraparty strain revolves around the aftermath of Donald Trump’s presidency.The Senate GOP is firmly behind Alaskan Lisa Murkowski’s reelection bid even after she voted...…House and Senate Republicans are taking divergent stances toward President Joe Biden, even as they unite in opposition to his coronavirus bill.Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference. | Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesTechnically they belong to the same party. But on a growing number of issues, House and Senate Republicans might as well live on different political planets.And much of the intraparty strain revolves around the aftermath of Donald Trump’s presidency.The Senate GOP is firmly behind Alaskan Lisa Murkowski’s reelection bid even after she voted...WW…

Some Republicans worry that this week's controversial antics from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have stomped on their attempts to sensitively communicate why they are opposed.The House passed sweeping legislation on Thursday to ban discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity, delivering a major victory to the LGBTQ community — while exposing an ugly rift in the GOP.The Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to provide protections for LGBTQ individuals, garnered unanimous support from House Democrats on its way to approval on a...…Some Republicans worry that this week's controversial antics from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have stomped on their attempts to sensitively communicate why they are opposed.The House passed sweeping legislation on Thursday to ban discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity, delivering a major victory to the LGBTQ community — while exposing an ugly rift in the GOP.The Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to provide protections for LGBTQ individuals, garnered unanimous support from House Democrats on its way to approval on a...WW…

If there's any risk of political blowback for lining up against Covid aid that polls well with the public, most Republicans aren't seeing it.Sen. John Thune said of the Covid relief bill: “If it’s in its current contours, it’s hard to see many, if any, Republicans being for it.” | Greg Nash-Pool/Getty ImagesRepublicans are making a risky but calculated bet: that voters won’t punish them for opposing a popular $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill.With President Joe Biden and Democrats barely even seeking their input, Republicans are now gambling that there will be more backlash over schools...…If there's any risk of political blowback for lining up against Covid aid that polls well with the public, most Republicans aren't seeing it.Sen. John Thune said of the Covid relief bill: “If it’s in its current contours, it’s hard to see many, if any, Republicans being for it.” | Greg Nash-Pool/Getty ImagesRepublicans are making a risky but calculated bet: that voters won’t punish them for opposing a popular $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill.With President Joe Biden and Democrats barely even seeking their input, Republicans are now gambling that there will be more backlash over schools...WW…

The National Republican Congressional Committee has identified 47 House Democrats it intends to challenge, though the district maps won't be known for months.NRCC Chair Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) is now in his second stint leading the House GOP’s campaign arm. | Stephen Maturen/Getty ImagesHouse Republicans surprised nearly everyone last November when they almost captured the majority.Then they spent January roiled by the deadly attack on the Capitol, confronting a second impeachment of then-President Donald Trump and answering for a whirlwind of offensive conspiracy theories from a firebrand...…The National Republican Congressional Committee has identified 47 House Democrats it intends to challenge, though the district maps won't be known for months.NRCC Chair Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) is now in his second stint leading the House GOP’s campaign arm. | Stephen Maturen/Getty ImagesHouse Republicans surprised nearly everyone last November when they almost captured the majority.Then they spent January roiled by the deadly attack on the Capitol, confronting a second impeachment of then-President Donald Trump and answering for a whirlwind of offensive conspiracy theories from a firebrand...WW…

By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad FeedbackGetty Images, Politico via AP — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan both jumped into the race Wednesday to become the next House speaker, setting up a fight to replace Kevin McCarthy after his historic ouster.House Republicans are even more bitterly divided in the aftermath of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster and his decision not to run again. It remains to be seen whether the conference can coalesce around a viable successor to the California Republican.The stakes are extremely high as Congress faces down a looming...…By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad FeedbackGetty Images, Politico via AP — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan both jumped into the race Wednesday to become the next House speaker, setting up a fight to replace Kevin McCarthy after his historic ouster.House Republicans are even more bitterly divided in the aftermath of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster and his decision not to run again. It remains to be seen whether the conference can coalesce around a viable successor to the California Republican.The stakes are extremely high as Congress faces down a looming...WW…