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☆ Trump said he'd 'fight like hell' for Marjorie Taylor Greene if she ran for the Senate: 'People don't realize how brilliant she is'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Former President Trump said he'd "fight like hell" for MTG if she decided to pursue a Senate bid. While speaking at his rally in Waco, Tex., Trump praised Rep. Greene as a tough GOP politician. Greene has also been floated as a potential vice presidential running mate for the former president. But Greene, a national conservative star, has also been mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate for Trump next year. "People don't realize how brilliant she is," Trump said of Greene.

☆ Staring down a possible indictment, Trump holds a rally in Waco. A Texas newspaper said the choice isn't a dog whistle but an 'air horn' to far-right groups.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Sarah Al-Arshani | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Thirty years ago, federal agents seized the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. Trump's scheduled rally in Waco falls in the middle of the anniversary of the months-long standoff. The New York Times reported that Trump's visit to Waco falls on the 30-year anniversary of the Branch Davidian siege. Although no indictment has been announced, Trump has continued to rally his supporters and make allusions to violence. Trump supporters like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Matt Gaetz of Florida as well as conservative pundits like Dan Bongino have spoken out in support of Trump.

☆ Texas' GOP leaders are skipping Trump's Waco rally because of 'prior commitments' as possible indictments dog his 2024 campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Former President Donald Trump is holding a 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Saturday. None of the 30 Texas Republicans Insider contacted about the event said they were going. Cheung was also non-committal about whether former Trump rally companions like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia or failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake would pop up in Texas. Other Texas Republicans who said they'd be unable to huddle with Trump for unspecified reasons include Rep. Michael McCaul, and state GOP chairman Matt Rinaldi. The bigger concern, Meek told Insider, was that the high-profile visit might in any way backfire after the decades the community has spent building back from the Branch Davidian tragedy.

☆ Pelosi lamented that Biden would help raise 'a million dollars' for Marjorie Taylor Greene by mentioning her in a speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

President Biden recently alluded to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in a speech about his budget. While watching the speech, Pelosi lamented to a reporter that Biden shouldn't have done that. Pelosi also cringed at Biden referring to former President Donald Trump as "the former president — and maybe future president." Earlier this month, Biden said Marjorie Taylor Greene is an asset for Democrats. "You know, a little bit more Marjorie Taylor Greene and a few more, you're gonna have a lot of Republicans running our way," he said at the House Democrats' 2023 Issues Conference.

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene adds defunding ongoing DOJ Trump investigations to list of hard-right demands to avoid fiscal crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she won't vote for a budget without cuts to DOJ and FBI. It adds to a long list of steep conservative demands in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. The unprecedented demand will likely garner momentum among the furthest-right members of the House Republican caucus. Once a fringe member of the caucus, Greene has emerged as a key ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) March 17, 2023Greene spokesman Nick Dyer clarified that the congresswoman was alluding to the use of the Holman rule, which allows Congress to target specific federal employees' salaries and zero-out specific government programs.

☆ McCarthy refuses Zelenskyy's invitation to visit Kyiv, reiterating that he's against 'blank checks' for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

McCarthy rejected an invitation from Zelenskyy to visit Kyiv. Zelenskyy invited McCarthy to show him how US aid is being put to use in the war against Russia. "I don't have to go to Ukraine or Kyiv to see it," McCarthy said. McCarthy also reiterated that he does not support providing Ukraine with "blank checks." "I will continue to get my briefings and others, but I don't have to go to Ukraine or Kyiv to see it.

☆ House Democrats are skeptical about Biden's call for working with GOP: 'Marjorie Taylor Greene seems to be the lead spokesperson these days'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Biden says Republicans can help build a "significant majority" for Dem priorities in a GOP House. "It looks like it's Marjorie Taylor Greene and extreme MAGA Republicans," Rep. Pramila Jayapal said. They question whether they can work with House Republicans on anything beyond "must-pass" legislation when they say "extreme" GOP members seem to be leading the caucus. And you know, Marjorie Taylor Greene seems to be the lead spokesperson these days." "You're gonna have a lot of Republicans running our way," he told House Democrats on Wednesday night.

☆ Former Bush aide says Marjorie Taylor Greene has become so powerful in the GOP that she can't be dismissed as a fringe figure anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Marjorie Taylor Greene is too powerful a figure to be overlooked, former Bush aide Peter Wehner wrote in an op-ed for the Atlantic. Wehner wrote that Greene is "giving voice" to a "growing sentiment" in the GOP. "The temptation of many people, eager to move past America's political freak show, will be to ignore her comments and dismiss her as an outcast, a fringe figure, deranged but isolated," Wehner wrote. Greene is "giving voice to a widespread and growing sentiment in the Republican Party," Wehner wrote. Marjorie Taylor Greene, GOP power playerRepublican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia boos President Joe Biden during the State of the Union Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesGreene is known for her anti-trans rhetoric, track record of pushing outlandish, anti-Semitic messages, and her well-documented beliefs in QAnon conspiracy theories.

☆ Mitch McConnell says 'way too much attention' has been given to Republicans who oppose aiding Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McConnell recently traveled to Europe to underscore Republican support for Ukraine. He told one reporter that members of his party opposed to aiding the country get "way too much attention." Other prominent Republicans have argued that the cost of US support for Ukraine is too high. "Let me start by saying: I am a conservative Republican from America, and I come in peace," said the top Senate Republican, according to his prepared remarks. "Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated."

☆ DeSantis downplays Russia as a global threat after Biden's visit to Kyiv: 'I think they've shown themselves to be a third-rate military power'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

DeSantis' comments came shortly after President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday. Ron DeSantis played down the threat posed by Russia to NATO allies after President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Monday. "I think they've [Russia] shown themselves to be a third-rate military power." At the same time, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced a new $450 million military aid package. DeSantis, in the interview, claimed that China, which the US believes is considering sending lethal aid to Russia, is a bigger threat.

☆ GOP Rep. Andy Ogles claimed to fight international sex crimes and be an economic expert. Like George Santos, his real resume tells another story.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Katherine Long | Bryan Metzger | Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) claims he's a real estate magnate, policy expert, and sex crime investigator. Ogles' business experience seems to be limited to owning two restaurants, a short-lived travel agency, and becoming licensed as an insurance agent. Ogles' supposed experience rescuing sex trafficking victims helped propel him into national headlines in his first week in Congress. During one debate during his campaign, Ogles described himself as "a former member of law enforcement" who worked "in international sex crimes, specifically child trafficking." Fighting international sex crimes and traffickingWhen discussing his support for a more militarized border with Mexico, Ogles has repeatedly referenced his involvement in combating human trafficking and working to fight international sex crimes.

House Freedom Caucus members, who want to shrink the role of government, are demanding reductions in government spending. The Freedom Caucus members also raised significant sums from larger donors and traditional political fundraising committees. Unlike other congressional caucuses, the House Freedom Caucus doesn't disclose its membership, a practice that began in 2015. While McCarthy has pledged that the government won't default, the Republicans' narrow 222-212 majority has given outsized power to the Freedom Caucus. 'I AIN'T LISTENING'Freedom Caucus members are among the most conservative members of Congress, according to their voting records.

☆ Kevin McCarthy is working tirelessly and spending a lot of his political capital to win fights that don't actually matter.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Kevin McCarthy rallied GOP lawmakers to oust Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. But taking Omar off the Foreign Affairs panel took a good deal more effort on his part. The Omar vote was seen as a huge victory for the party, especially coming off McCarthy's protracted 15 rounds of balloting to secure the House speakership. Republicans led a successful effort to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. While Republican leaders were pleased with the outcome, the behind-the-scenes work to push through a successful vote against Omar took up a lot of political oxygen.

☆ Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna claimed she was raised Jewish. Some relatives question that, and say her grandfather fought for the Nazis.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna may have misrepresented her religious background. She says she was raised as a Messianic Jew by her father, but relatives dispute that. Luna also claims to be Hispanic, but registered to vote as "White, not of Hispanic origin" in 2015. But according to three relatives who spoke with the Post, her father, George Mayerhofer, was Catholic, and they were unaware of him practicing any form of Judaism. One relative, Jolanta Mayerhofer, told the Post that Heinrich Mayerhofer had no choice in the matter.

☆ Republicans called Biden a 'liar' for saying some of them wanted to sunset Social Security and Medicare. But there are several examples of lawmakers supporting cuts or weakening programs.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said cuts to Social Security and Medicare are off the table. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has insisted that cuts to Medicare and Social Security are off the table. But there are several examples of Republicans suggesting cutting or weakening Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. "I want to save Social Security," Johnson said, according to local WKOW. It also involved decreasing Social Security benefits over time and for higher-earning retirees, as well as increasing Medicare premiums for some.

☆ State of the Union takeaways: Biden comes out swinging in a raucous, combative speech despite pleas for bipartisanship
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The speech marks Biden's first address to the new Republican-controlled House. Before diving into the list of bipartisan accomplishments, though, Biden began by congratulating House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In a symbolic appeal to bipartisanship, First Lady Jill Biden wore purple — the color that results from combining blue and red. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump shared his thoughts about Biden's speech on his social media platform, Truth Social. In addition to attacking Republicans on Social Security and Medicare cuts, Biden opened up several other lines of attack.

☆ George Santos signs onto abortion, guns, term limits, and impeachment bills as he attempts to make friends on Capitol Hill
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Freshman Rep. George Santos is still finding his way on Capitol Hill after a rough start. In his first off-the-rails month on Capitol Hill, Santos has signed onto bills dealing with abortion rights, guns, the global social media phenomenon TikTok, congressional term limits, and even articles of impeachment. He signed onto bills promoting term limits and calling for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a top priority for the MAGA wing. "The congressman seeks to work with everyone, and has developed relationships with Republican members, as well as those across the aisle," a Santos spokesperson said. Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida introduced that legislation to block Americans from doing business with Venezuela.

Embattled Rep. George Santos grabbed a premier center aisle seat ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address. Seated beside Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Santos soon discovered that not everyone — including some Republicans — was interested in seeing him. Santos sat just in front of Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee and behind Rep. Trent Kelly of Mississippi. Seats are reserved for senators as a group in the front of the chamber and House members sit behind them. House members can claim preferred spots during the day but they have to camp out there to reserve them for the entirety of the speech.

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene wore a $495 alpaca wool coat to the State of the Union to 'highlight' the Chinese spy balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia wore an ostentatious wool coat at the State of the Union. The far-right congresswoman wore the coat to "highlight" the Chinese spy balloon, her office says. The garment sells for $495 on Overland.com and "supports Peruvian artisans in earning fair wages." According to her office, it was an effort to draw attention to a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the continental United States last week. Greene, a self-described "Christian nationalist," also supported Peruvian artisans with her purchase.

☆ Rowdy Republicans yell and taunt Biden during his State of the Union after McCarthy warned them to behave
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McCarthy previously said that Republicans would behave during the address. Biden's comments on a range of issues — everything from the national debt to fentanyl overdoses — prompted boos and loud yelling from Republicans. The president appeared to be largely unfazed by the GOP's unorthodox behavior, at times directly responding to their jeers. Biden ultimately got Republicans to stand up and applaud in support of both programs, and declared there was "unanimity" on the matter. The raucous behavior of a number of congressional Republicans came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insisted that members of his caucus behave during the address.

☆ McCarthy warns Republicans not to misbehave at State of the Union, promises no 'childish games' like Pelosi's infamous speech tearing moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Oma Seddiq | Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McCarthy swiped at Pelosi ahead of Biden's state of the union address on Tuesday. "We're not going to do childish games tearing up a speech," he told CNN. Pelosi infamously ripped up a copy of Trump's speech after his 2020 SOTU address. Pelosi made headlines when she ripped up a copy of Trump's speech after he delivered his third state of the union address three years ago. McCarthy, the newly elected House speaker, will take Pelosi's previous seat on the platform behind Biden during his address on Tuesday night.

A far-right faction of House Republicans is pushing against continued US aid to Ukraine. Those concerns ratcheted up amid House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's tumultuous journey to secure the gavel last month. Kyiv, for its part, has kept a close eye on Congress' dynamics since the GOP won a narrow House majority in the November midterms. "This GOP House majority will demand more oversight, transparency, and accountability to ensure assistance to Ukraine is used as intended," McCaul said in a statement. "Most Europeans don't think that suddenly the US is going to cut support to Ukraine," Araud said, adding that nobody anticipates Washington will "dump Ukraine."

☆ George Santos' first House race took days to call in 2020. So he came to DC for new member orientation and had a blast before finding out he lost.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In 2020, Santos ran his first campaign and lost — but still went to DC for new member orientation. 'He seemed nice'In cases where a congressional election takes more than a few days to fully determine, both candidates are sometimes invited to take part in new member orientation. Adam Frisch, a Democrat who almost unseated Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert this past year, attended the orientation sessions in November as the vote-counting in Colorado dragged on. In 2018, current Republican Rep. Young Kim of California attended as well, despite ultimately losing her race that year. Santos at 2020 new member orientation, seated near Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas and Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs of California.

☆ House votes to boot Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee after McCarthy wins over GOP holdouts with ethics promises
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The House voted on Thursday to remove Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The measure passed on party lines after McCarthy made promises to GOP holdouts. Republican Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio was the one lawmaker who voted present on what was otherwise a party-line vote. The resolution to remove Omar, sponsored by freshman Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, lists a variety of comments that have "disqualified" the third-term congresswoman from serving on the foreign affairs panel. Republicans also argued that Democrats set a precedent by initiating bipartisan votes during the previous Congress to remove Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona from committees over their violent rhetoric.

☆ 2 House Republicans caught saying Ilhan Omar removal was the 'stupidest vote in world' before begging reporters to not tell GOP leadership what they said
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Warren Rojas | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

House Republicans removed Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from one of her committees on Thursday. The party-line vote struck at least a pair of GOP members as a dumb move. The dejected duo called it the "stupidest vote" and panned leadership for making Omar a "martyr." The not-so-private condemnation of Speaker Kevin McCarthy's campaign to remove Omar from the House Foreign Affairs panel happened after Republicans clinched the retaliatory strike on a party-line vote of 218-211. After Buck decreed it the "stupidest" political move, Simpson said the expulsion would probably make the Minnesota Democrat into a "martyr."

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