The 118th Congress has been an all-too familiar story for Republican voters so far. A conservative push in the House matched with mostly radio silence in the Senate. With the notable exceptions of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and a few others, most of the Senate GOP leadership has offered no bold agenda and no real opposition to the Biden agenda. Granted, Republicans don't have the majority in the Senate like they do in the House, but they have failed to offer any significant pushback as the "opposition party" (except Tuberville's stand against the military paying for abortions).
At the heart of this lukewarm, blend-in-with-the-scenery approach to governing is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who began the year helping Biden pass a massive spending bill, then appearing with Biden to tout another massive spending bill. Since then, McConnell has remained silent about the scandals involving Hunter and Joe Biden's influence peddling, or the weaponization of the FBI and DOJ against former President Donald Trump. This has led some critics to contend that McConnell and fellow Senate GOP leaders despise their voters.
McConnell and his defenders can point to not having Senate control as an excuse, but he is a big reason the GOP doesn't have a majority. "Last year, Mitch McConnell worked really hard to make sure Republicans did not win key Senate races," says Luke Macias, political consultant and host. "Because he knew, were Republicans to actually take a majority, he didn't have a path to being majority leader."
While McConnell, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Thune (R-SD) and even John Cornyn (R-TX) have repeatedly disappointed many in the GOP base, there is reason for optimism. Last year brought the elections of Sens. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), two young conservatives. In addition, Sen. Hawley has built an impressive conservative record in his first term, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) even unsuccessfully challenged McConnell for minority leader last year.
"Grassroots conservatives continue to step up to take that power back, and it is happening election cycle after election cycle, as these moderate, old guard establishment types lose," says Macias.
Republicans need to flip at least two seats next year to take the majority in the Senate. If that happens, the long-suffering GOP base may finally get its wish. "When Republicans get a majority in the Senate, that will be the opportunity conservatives have to take to hold fast, and see a generational shift in Senate leadership," says Macias. "It's very important that enough conservatives hold out, and insist we get somebody other than John Thune, John Cornyn or Mitch McConnell to ascend to majority leader."