money OnPolitics: The GOP takes on Liz Cheney
In yesterday's OnPolitics, we wrote about the GOP's continuing battle on moving beyond former President Donald Trump's presidency.
The latest clash: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has stepped up pressure on Rep. Liz Cheney over her recent comments about Trump.
It's Mabinty, with all the day's political drama.
Liz Cheney v. GOP
In an interview on Fox News Channel, McCarthy claimed rank-and-file concerns about Cheney's "ability to carry out her job" after she traded insults with Trump. (Reminder: Cheney is the No. 3 House Republican.)
"I have heard from members concerned about her ability to carry out her job as conference chair, to carry out the message," McCarthy said. Instead of backing Cheney, McCarthy essentially planted himself in the camp of her critics.
More context: In February, conservatives unhappy over Cheney's confrontations with Trump lost a secret ballot vote of House Republicans aimed at ousting her from her leadership job, 145-61.
Will Cheney keep her leadership role? The fight puts the GOP in the awkward position of seeking to oust its highest-ranking woman from her post when the party is trying to erode Democrats' decisive advantage among female voters.
There's one person coming to her defense: Sen. Mitt Romney.
"Every person of conscience draws a line beyond which they will not go: Liz Cheney refuses to lie," Romney tweeted. "As one of my Republican Senate colleagues said to me following my impeachment vote: 'I wouldn’t want to be a member of a group that punished someone for following their conscience.' "
There's still a pandemic going on
COVID-19 still his top priority, President Joe Biden has set a new vaccine target: He wants 70% of U.S. adults to have at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4. The White House says the U.S. will have enough vaccine supply to cover every American adult by the end of May, although it will take longer to administer those vaccines.
The administration plans to:
Direct federal-run and suggest state-run pharmacies offer walk-in appointments.
Redirect federal assistance toward pop-up and mobile clinics.
Spend tens of millions of dollars on education and outreach campaigns.
Send doses directly to and further fund efforts in rural communities.
What else is going on?
President Biden's promises on policing reform: What the administration has accomplished
Attorney General Garland seeks millions to fight domestic terrorism, sexual violence, civil rights abuses
'My fellow American': Biden sends letter to stimulus check recipients, echoing mailer sent by Trump
Lincoln Project airs one last ding at Trump before he leaves Mar-a-Lago for New Jersey
Caitlyn Jenner spells out priorities for California governor, but announcement misspells name
Happy Star Wars day, nerds. May the 4th be with you. — Mabinty
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Liz Cheney, Kevin McCarthy clash over Trump and future of the GOP
