House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not signal any problem with the Republican National Committee’s decision to censure Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger when talking to reporters Wednesday.
“The RNC put out their resolution, I think they have a right to do their resolution and what they wanted,” said McCarthy.
A day after McConnell criticized the RNC resolution for censuring Cheney and Kinzinger, McCarthy makes clear he has no issues with that. “The RNC put out their resolution, I think they have a right to do their resolution and what they wanted,” he told us pic.twitter.com/g0mCxTMUhr
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 9, 2022
Without definitively agreeing or disagreeing with the censure, he deflected questions to other issues, namely inflation.
RNC BOSS ACCUSES MEDIA OF ‘DISTORTING’ CENSURE OF CHENEY AND KINZINGER
“I think the very best thing we should be doing as a party too [is] focusing on what the American voter wants,” he told reporters when asked if the censure would be divisive for the Republican Party.
“What they really want is to lower the gas prices. They’re tired of inflation. They want safe and secure streets.”
“Those are the things I’m focused on here,” he added.
Conversely, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Tuesday, “The issue of whether or not the RNC should be sort of singling out members of our party who may have different views from the majority — that’s not the job of the RNC.”
The RNC adopted the resolution to censure the two controversial Republicans last week after a voice vote.
According to the resolution, “Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger have engaged in actions in their positions as members of the January 6th Select Committee not befitting Republican members of Congress, which include the Committee’s disregard for minority rights, traditional checks and balances, due process, and adherence to other precedent and rules of the U.S. House and which seem intent on advancing a political agenda to buoy the Democrat Party’s bleak prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.”
Several members of the Republican Party had a problem with the censure, making their disagreement known. “Shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol. Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at great personal cost,” said Sen. Mitt Romney in a Feb. 4 tweet.
Shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol. Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at great personal cost.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 4, 2022
Both Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan shared similar tweets questioning the move. “The RNC is censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger because they are trying to find out what happened on January 6th — HUH?” said Cassidy.
The RNC is censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger because they are trying to find out what happened on January 6th – HUH?
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) February 4, 2022
Hogan called Feb. 4 a “sad day” for the Republican Party, adding, “The GOP I believe in is the party of freedom and truth.”
The GOP I believe in is the party of freedom and truth.
It’s a sad day for my party—and the country—when you’re punished just for expressing your beliefs, standing on principle, and refusing to tell blatant lies.
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) February 4, 2022
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On the other hand, Rep. Elise Stefanik, who took Cheney’s place as No. 3 in the House Republican leadership, told reporters on Tuesday, “The RNC has every right to take any action.”
“The position that I have is that you’re ultimately held accountable to voters in your district,” the congresswoman added.
