Contemporary Disunity Among Congressional Republicans

Herbert, Jonathan

Abstract

From The Changing Character of the American Right, Volume II
Edited By, Joel D. Aberbach, Bruce E. Cain, Desmond King & Gillian Peele

While scholarship on the US Congress emphasizes increasing levels of party unity in the late 20th and early 21st century, recent experiences of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives indicate a divided and rancorous party caucus. The role of Representatives on the right of the party, in the forms of both the House Freedom Caucus and specific individuals, has been highlighted in coverage of the conflicts. This chapter examines the rise of the Caucus, highlighting its strategy and institutionalisation as means to achieve a degree of independence from the party leadership. By examining the Caucus’ legislative activities and public communication, its successful navigation of the Trump presidency is explained, while challenging the received narrative that the Caucus simply became devoted followers of Trump. Finally, the chapter addresses the rise of ‘celebrity’ legislators on the right since the end of Trump’s first term, and the consequent difficulties for the Caucus. The work emphasises the institutional changes that have not just allowed, but incentivised, those on the right to pursue divisive behaviours in pursuit of their agenda and power within the party. Notably though, the Caucus’ influence has been demonstrated to be highly contingent, as their strategies adopted under the Trump presidency sowed the seeds of later problems among the rise of celebrity legislators on the right.

Citation

Herbert, J. (in press). Contemporary Disunity Among Congressional Republicans. In The Changing Character of the American Right, Volume II. (1). London: Palgrave Macmillan

• Acceptance Date: Nov 20, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 20, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jan 13, 2025
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Edition: 1
• Book Title: The Changing Character of the American Right, Volume II
• Chapter Number: 2
• ISBN: 978-3031731716
• Keywords: Conservatives, Congress, House Freedom Caucus.
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/983438
• Publisher URL: www.palgrave.com