Trump controversies follow Republicans to congressional retreat
PHILADELPHIA — Republican lawmakers faced questions over President Trump’s potential executive action on torture and his baseless statements alleging massive voter fraud as they kicked off their “Congress of Tomorrow” two-day retreat.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the chairs of their Republican conferences, announced that they were planning out their 200-day agenda in working groups, and would focus on repealing and replacing Obamacare, tax reform and a transportation bill.
“[We have an] aggressive plan to set into motion a unified Republican government,” McMorris Rodgers said to the dozens of reporters staked out across the street from their retreat in downtown Philadelphia.
But the lawmakers were soon barraged with questions over Trump’s drafted executive action asking top administration officials for a policy review that could lead to the use of waterboarding and the re-opening of CIA “black sites” for terrorist suspects.
“Those issues are settled law,” Thune said of Trump’s proposed torture review. “Congress has spoken.”
Asked if he would personally object to the reinstatement of waterboarding, he said “It’d take a change of the law.” He added that he would be happy to take a look at a legislative proposal from the administration.
The lawmakers were also peppered with inquiries about the president’s claim, which has been debunked, that “millions” of people voted illegally in the presidential election.
“It’s very important that people have confidence in elections and the outcome of those elections,” McMorris Rodgers said.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah told reporters he didn’t see “any evidence” of Trump’s claims but the president was welcome to “have at it” if he wanted. Chaffetz said he would not direct his oversight committee to look into the claims, however.
“I haven’t seen evidence to that effect,” Thune said, when asked about the widespread voter fraud. “I believe our election system is the cornerstone of our democracy.”
Thune said he would cooperate in any investigation the administration called for. But he added: “We’ve moved on. The election’s over with.”
Moving on is proving tough, however, as the lawmakers are also still working through the shockwaves set off by their populist president’s campaign promise not to cut government entitlements. The promise has complicated Republicans’ plans to repeal and replace Obamacare, since most plans will involve a reduction in Medicaid spending.
Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., admitted to reporters that there was “disagreement” in the caucus about whether to leave entitlements alone, in line with Trump’s campaign rhetoric, or whether they need to be reformed to address the deficit.
“We have to deal with entitlement reform,” Collins said.
The president and Vice President Mike Pence are visiting the lawmakers Thursday afternoon at the retreat.
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