Republicans vs Republicans, the Widening Division: The Kiplinger Letter
Republicans in the House and the Senate meltdown as a widening division grows over spending cuts and other measures, including the Biden impeachment.
To help you understand the build-up of tensions between House and Senate Republicans and other political concerns from the hill, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
Another factor increasing the odds of a government shutdown this fall is the split between House and Senate Republicans, as exemplified by the widening divisions between the party leaders of both chambers.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is barely maintaining control over his fractious caucus, even as he pushes for tougher spending cuts and other measures to appease his party’s most conservative lawmakers. What’s true for McCarthy is the opposite for Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the top Senate Republican. The Senate GOP remains united around McConnell, despite recent health scares that briefly aroused public skepticism.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
McConnell has also maintained support for higher government spending than McCarthy, as well as emergency legislation including more military aid for Ukraine.
The pair are even divided on the question of impeaching President Biden, with McConnell not willing to endorse McCarthy’s impeachment push, for now...
Don’t expect any public blowups, with McCarthy and McConnell working to resolve their differences behind the scenes. Everything from an agreement to fund the government to McCarthy’s speakership hangs in the balance.
To that end, some takeaways from the House’s third impeachment inquiry in four years. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is taking a risky move that could backfire on the party politically. The House GOP’s far-right wing has pushed for impeachment, but House moderates fear the inquiry will hurt them with voters in next year’s election.
McCarthy points to allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption by President Joe Biden related to foreign business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden. The White House cites a lack of evidence, even after months of investigations.
It’s not certain that the inquiry will leave the House and move to the Senate for a trial, as McCarthy first must convince moderate GOPers to go along — which is not a given. But the lengthy, ramped-up House probes could damage Biden politically. Barring a bombshell revelation, the Senate isn’t going to convict Biden.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related content
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Sean Lengell covers Congress and government policy for The Kiplinger Letter. Before joining Kiplinger in January 2017 he served as a congressional reporter for eight years with the Washington Examiner and the Washington Times. He previously covered local news for the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune. A native of northern Illinois who spent much of his youth in St. Petersburg, Fla., he holds a bachelor's degree in English from Marquette University.
-
An IRA Contribution Option You Might Not Know About
IRAs Retirement savings might not have to take a backseat just because your partner doesn't earn income.
By Kelley R. Taylor Published
-
JetBlue Baggage Fees Changing: New Perks for Blue Basic Fliers
JetBlue baggage fees have changed a few times in the past year. Here are the updated fees for carry-on and checked baggage. Blue Basic fliers get a new perk.
By Donna LeValley Published
-
Congress Spends Big on Closing the Digital Divide
The Kiplinger Letter A massive spending program is designed to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote locations.
By John Miley Published
-
Future U.S. Economic Growth Hinges on Immigrants
The Kiplinger Letter With the native birthrate slipping, employers are increasingly relying on foreign-born workers to staff up.
By David Payne Published
-
Biden's Plans to Impose an Income Tax on Death
The Tax Letter The president has proposed a new taxing regime that would make death an income tax realization event for wealthy decedents.
By Joy Taylor Last updated
-
Key Tax Provisions That Are Expiring After 2025
The Tax Letter Unless Congress decides to act, lots of tax changes will take effect in 2026, including higher tax rates and lower standard deductions.
By Joy Taylor Published
-
Who Will Replace Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican Leader?
The Kiplinger Letter The runners and riders to replace Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader are lining up...
By Sean Lengell Published
-
Top 10 Tax Expenditures in 2024: The Tax Letter
The Tax Letter Costly tax breaks will likely come under scrutiny from lawmakers trying to reduce the national debt. We review the 10 largest individual tax expenditures.
By Joy Taylor Published
-
Odds of Republicans Retaking the Senate Gain Momentum: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter With the Democrats facing an uphill task, all eyes are on the Republicans in the race to take the Senate.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
H-1B Work Visa Rules Get a Revamp
The Kiplinger Letter H-1B visas allow employers to hire high-skilled foreign workers. Regulators have finalized new rules for this visa program following last fall's proposal.
By Matthew Housiaux Published