3.2 "Congress & Trump"

"The GOP's Quickly Learning that Governing is Difficult--As is Working with Donald Trump" 

1. How did the public deal with the attempt (from last week's blog) to shut down the Office of Congressional Ethics?

Public backlash included angry phone calls, tweets, and a reproachful tweet from Donald Trump. 

2. How did sharing control of the government with Democrats actually end up helping Republicans in Congress?

It protected the GOP from public scrutiny, but now that Republicans run the majority of Washington, people are more vigilant than ever. 

3. What does the professor from University of Miami mean when saying that the Republicans were more of a "protest party"?

For Obama's two terms, Republicans have been functioning as a reactionary force against Obama and the Democratic Party. Their proposals and actions have been more to thwart Obama than to actually benefit people's lives.

4. Why is Trump a potential problem for Republicans in Congress?

Trump has proven to be fickle and is not purely loyal to the party and its traditional policy priorities. 

5. In what situations will Trump be willing to oppose Republicans in Congress?

He is willing to betray the GOP for popular support, which GOP Congress won't dare to defy. For example, he has shown to be much more cautious about entirely repealing ObamaCare than Republicans, understanding the grave consequences of doing so.  

6. How are some Republicans, like the Freedom Caucus, adjusting their stances preparing for a Trump presidency?

They are changing their attitudes and posing as fervent Trump supporters to appeal to popular sentiment. 

7.  How will the public view Republicans differently now that they are in charge of lawmaking?

They are held at high expectations and responsibility, and their true beliefs will be put to test in the face of the new president.