(from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/05/opinion/sunday/trump-impeachment.html)
". . . Consider the following descriptions of Trump: “terribly unfit;” “erratic;” “reckless;” “impetuous;” “unstable;” “a pathological liar;” “dangerous to a democracy;” a concern to “anyone who cares about our nation.” Every one of these descriptions comes from a Republican member of Congress or of Trump’s own administration. . . They know. They know he is unfit for office. They do not need to be persuaded of the truth. They need to be persuaded to act on it. . ."
(from http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/11/21863224-boehner-lashes-out-at-conservative-groups-on-budget-deal?lite)
Republican leaders defended a modest budget deal that would maintain
government operations through 2015 amid conservative opposition that
could scuttle the legislation in the House.
House Speaker John
Boehner, R-Ohio, lashed out at conservative advocacy groups that have
encouraged GOP lawmakers to oppose a budget framework unveiled last
night by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
"They're
using our members and they're using the American people for their own
goals," an animated Boehner told reporters at the Capitol. "This is
ridiculous."
Republican
House Speaker John Boehner delivers a message to advocacy groups
opposing the bipartisan budget framework agreement that was reached this
week.
Ryan and Murray, the top budget officials in their
respective chambers, announced an agreement that would set baseline
spending levels for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years. The agreement calls
for spending levels slightly above the cap established by the automatic
spending cuts known as the "sequester" through a combination of reforms,
cuts and new, non-tax revenue.
Conservative groups had been girding themselves against the deal
before its details were finalized, mostly because the spending levels
exceed sequester levels. The Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity
and Heritage Action -- each of them well-financed conservative advocacy
groups that hold some sway over Republican primary voters -- have begun
lobbying furiously against the modest government funding agreement.
"By
having a budget agreement that does not raise taxes, that does reduce
the deficit and produces some certainty and prevents government
shutdowns -- we think is a good agreement," Ryan, the architect of the
budget agreement, said after a closed-door meeting with fellow
Republicans.
Of the package's prospects for passage, the 2012 GOP
vice presidential nominee added: "We feel very good at where we are with
our members."
Chuck Todd reports on the budget deal presented by Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray.
The
Republican leadership's struggle to manage its restive conservative
flank is a familiar storyline to any observer of Congress over the past
three years.
