House GOP looks to tie agenda to Trump in effort to grow majority

MILWAUKEE — House Republican leaders are elevating former President Donald Trump’s agenda not only to win the White House but also to expand their majority in the lower chamber next year. 

As top GOP lawmakers took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, party leaders warned against another four years under the Biden administration, flipping the script on Democrats by seeking to paint President Joe Biden as a danger to the country. In doing so, House Republicans praised Trump’s campaign platform that will not only win the White House for the party but also secure both chambers of Congress. 

“I’ve seen some crazy things in my time. But New Orleans has nothing on Washington, D.C., these past four years,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said. “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have spent your tax dollars trashing America’s finances in ways no sane or sober-minded person ever would.”

Scalise pointed to several policies enacted under the Biden administration that he said amounted to an “assault” by Democrats, including on energy, public safety, and election integrity, among other things. 

But, Scalise said, that would all change when “we reelect Donald Trump” — and secure a Republican majority in both the House and Senate. 

The majority leader cited multiple pieces of legislation he vowed would be pursued under a GOP trifecta, such as the SAVE Act to block illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections; the Parent Bill of Rights to establish certain rights for parents and guardians over schools; and H.R. 2, Republicans’ signature border bill that passed the House earlier this year but has been stalled in the Democratic-led Senate. 

The GOP leaders also praised their party’s ability to “hold the line” against Democrats in the Senate and the Biden White House over the last two years despite having a historically small majority that has often been plagued by infighting and disagreements. 

“We fought back against Democrats’ reckless spending that caused record-breaking inflation for hardworking Americans,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) said. “When we grow our majority, when we flip the Senate, and when we send President Donald J. Trump back to the White House, we won’t just be holding the line anymore — we’ll be moving forward.” 

The speeches give a glimpse into how House Republicans are likely to leverage their majority to help advance Trump’s agenda in Congress, especially as several of his staunchest allies have become prominent leaders on Capitol Hill. 

Among those is House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who was considered to be an early contender for Trump’s running mate and is now being floated as a possible choice for a Cabinet position should he be reelected. Stefanik touted her experience defending Trump and his legacy while in Congress, calling his reelection crucial “to save America.” 

“I have been proud to always stand in the breach during the toughest moments for President Trump,” Stefanik said. “From leading the charge against the illegal impeachments to standing for election integrity to unifying House Republicans to being the first Member of Congress to endorse him for reelection.”

The speeches come on the second day of the RNC, which is scheduled to last until Thursday. Trump is set to accept the GOP presidential nomination on the final day of the convention, when he’ll also give a speech to delegates, his first public remarks since the assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally over the weekend.