NPR's Aisha Rascoe asks Republican strategist Liam Donovan, head of the consulting and PR firm Targeted Victory, how deep the current divisions within the GOP congressional caucus run.
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MIKE JOHNSON: We had one of the most productive Congresses in the history of the organization.
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
This is House Speaker Mike Johnson on Fox Business Friday.
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JOHNSON: Remember, in previous years the Speakers had a majority of 25, 30, 40 seats. I have a tiny majority. Most days I have to meet with every Republican. And it takes a lot of work, but we will get there.
RASCOE: But the big question is where it is, and that's a question increasingly being asked by House Republicans. Liam Donovan joins us. He is a seasoned political operative who now heads Targeted Victory, a Republican consulting and public affairs firm. Good morning.
LIAM DONOVAN: Good morning.
RASCOE: So productive is in the eye of the beholder. But what are your chances that GOP and GOP voters will see what the GOP-led Congress did in November?
DONOVAN: Well, I think productivity was so strong that it led to some disappointment later in the year, especially with the shutdown. But that will be the challenge for Republicans next year. And I think they understand this. I think Mike Johnson knows this, but they need to take note of the accomplishments of the first half of the year, especially in terms of extending previous Trump tax cuts and expanding them, especially in terms of provisions that people actually like. And they – and when they find out, as we head into next year, remember, things like no overtime tax, no tip tax – those kinds of provisions won't go into effect until next year. So, as Americans start to feel the effects of these cuts, these policies, and Republicans come out and support these measures, I think that's the best they can do. But remember, they benefited from the affordability conversation under Joe Biden.
RASCOE: And now they…
DONOVAN: Now that things are…
RASCOE: Now they are suffering…
DONOVAN: Exactly.
RASCOE: …And now about this. But there's the issue of Affordable Care Act subsidies, which seems to be a thorn in the Republican Party's side right now. Is there an agreement that would allow it to go to Speaker Johnson, pass the House, and also pass the Senate?
DONOVAN: Look, this is a serious issue that has really bothered Republicans for the last 15 years. And I think, especially if you think back to the first Trump administration, this was the first problem of this kind – President Trump observed and I think recognized that this was a little bit of a bummer for Republicans. So I think it takes a certain amount of presidential leadership to be able to step up and give cover to the Republicans to do this. I think whatever the President decides, I think it will help…
RASCOE: But…
DONOVAN: …Kind of leading the way.
RASCOE: But are you worried? Because it really seems like whoever touches healthcare – he kind of gets – he faces the consequences. They face anger because this is a very difficult issue and it is difficult to make everyone happy. So if you are the party making the changes, you may have to face the consequences.
DONOVAN: Well, and I think that's correct because this – remember, this provision – was set to expire by the previous Democratic Congress. So the question for Republicans is: Do they own it? Will they decide to extend it now that they are in power? I think where this is going, it definitely seems like they're becoming more willing to get into the political game of whose fault is it that the expiration date is happening? Who created the system that leads to such price increases? But it looks like there will be no deal. And so the question becomes: How are these next few weeks going to go in a way that allows people to get into the races and try to win the election next year?
RASCOE: Do you think the president's successful push to reapportion House seats in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, and his continued push for seats in Indiana, Florida and Kansas – do you think that's the right way for Republicans to keep the House?
DONOVAN: Well, I think it depends on that last bit, on the remaining states. I think whether the effort was worth it will depend on how much that advantage spreads as we move into Florida and into Indiana. As it stands, I think it's mostly a wash that ends up costing a lot of money and heartburn for very little structural benefit. I think eventually we'll look back at the results of the November election, the special election in Tennessee. You won't be able to get to the majority position. You need to improve your situation. The President needs to become a little more popular. You need to improve the mood of the country a little bit about this economy. They have a year to do this.
RASCOE: But I have to ask you because the president says affordability is a Democratic scam. How is this? Do you know what the Republicans who are running for president next year are like? How do they feel about these types of comments?
DONOVAN: I can tell you, I don't think it's going to make it into the ads that the Republicans are running. I think that… you know, the President is disappointed with the turn of events that we just talked about. But I think the Republicans will have to run their own race. They will have to tout what I mentioned – what they have done well in Congress and what will actually help or help Americans in their wallets, especially as tax season approaches.
RASCOE: I need to preface this statement by acknowledging that you have worked closely with Texas Senator John Cornyn, who is up for re-election next year. There are three Republicans running in the primary, which is just over 12 weeks away. The polls are very tight between Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Does this mean Cornyn is out of step with Texas Republicans?
DONOVAN: No. I think this is just a continuation of what the Republican Party has gone through over the last 10 or 15 years. I think the primaries will work themselves out, but I think the best thing Republicans can do is allow for interesting primaries on the Democratic side. When Jasmine Crockett comes in, I think every Republican in Texas and across the country will welcome this addition to the race. And I think ultimately it will remain Republican no matter what, but for now I think it will just be a distraction.
RASCOE: This is Republican strategist Liam Donovan. Thank you very much for joining us this morning.
DONOVAN: Thanks for having me.
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