Start of a Conservative Revolt?

Exasperated and marginalized conservatives in Congress are inching nearer to full revolt from the party bosses who have delivered nothing but disappointment for them.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., has introduced a motion to force Speaker John Boehner of Ohio from his post at the head of the House. The “motion to vacate the chair,” as it is known, has no chance of passing, according to D.C. insiders, but represents a stunning public repudiation of the speaker’s leadership.

Meadows is not a typical malcontent in the House, but rather a powerful subcommittee chairman, given influence and authority by the very leaders he now denounces. Meadow’s motion signals conservatives are growing bolder, and less patient as they see their legislative priorities left out in the cold month after month by GOP leaders.

“The speaker of the House of Representatives for the 114th Congress has endeavored to consolidate power and centralize decision-making,” Meadows resolution read.

“The speaker of the House of Representatives for the 114th Congress has endeavored to consolidate power and centralize decision-making,” Meadows’ resolution read, “bypassing the majority of the 435 members of Congress and the people they represent.”

Early last year Republicans controlled the House, but if they had control of the Senate, they could really deliver on conservative priorities, Boehner vowed at the time.

The American people responded. Republicans won sweeping victories on the promise of stopping the president’s radical agenda. The GOP picked up nine seats in the U.S. Senate and expanded its majority in the House.

“I do know this: Come January, we’ll have a Republican House and a Republican Senate,” Boehner said while defending the so-called ‘cromnibus’ spending package last winter. “We’ll be in the stronger position to take actions.”

Actions, Yes, but Not on Conservative Priorities
The new Republican Congress under the helm of Boehner in the House and Majority Leader McConnell in the Senate has certainly taken action. The pair locked arms with President Obama and railroaded Fast-Track Trade Authority through both houses of Congress. GOP leadership pushed with unusual ferocity on the top legacy agenda item for Obama, despite widespread concerns the deal would pulverize American manufacturing jobs, and reduce American sovereignty in economic disputes with China.

“Since I have been serving, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the intensity like I have with GOP leadership pushing this trade deal,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

“Since I have been serving, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the intensity like I have with GOP leadership pushing this trade deal,” Rep. Jim Jordan R-Ohio, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said last month on “The Laura Ingraham Show.”

Despite several setbacks and significant public opposition to the deal, leadership was able to deliver for Obama.

Little Stomach to Fight the President
The dogged tenacity shown by Boehner and McConnell on trade formed a stark contrast with the pair’s lack of fight in showdowns with the president.

For several weeks in February, GOP bosses talked tough on stopping Obama’s unilateral executive action to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants. In a game of true Washington theater, the House passed a bill that would have halted the executive amnesty in its tracks. At the time Boehner thundered, “The House has acted.”

Only weeks later, McConnell quickly shepherded a “clean” funding bill through the Senate without any provision to fight Obama’s executive amnesty. Boehner promptly declared the fight had been lost, and with the unanimous support of House Democrats, passed that bill and cemented the future of the executive amnesty.

“I am as outraged and frustrated as you at the lawless and unconstitutional actions of this president,” Boehner said, while attempting to displace blame for the move after nearly 70 percent of Republicans in his caucus voted against the cave-in to the president.

No Urgency on Issues Close to the Heart
On the pro-life issue, one that lives very near to the heart of many conservatives, they have been offered little more than crumbs despite an unprecedented opportunity take the issue on offense.

After the grumbling of several socially left-leaning members in January, most notably Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., Boehner pulled a 22-week abortion ban from the House agenda.

The five-month ban is supported by nearly two-thirds of Americans, according to a July poll published by the National Right to Life Committee.

The measure was finally passed in the House months after it was pulled, but still languishes in the Senate. McConnell has not assigned the bill to a committee or attempted to bring it to the floor.

Right President to Change Course?
The list of disappointments for conservatives could fill pages: repealing Obamacare, stopping the president’s War on Coal, defunding Planned Parenthood, authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline, and on and on. Actions demanded by the American people and promised by victorious conservatives have been left out to pasture in the long Congress of want.

The disappointment train shows no signs of slowing down. On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed a reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, lamented by conservatives as corporate welfare, after McConnell snuck the provision into a bill on highway funding.

Meadows’ public challenge against Boehner is unlikely to accomplish a shift in priority among GOP leadership. But the extraordinarily risky move should be a clear indication to all interested parties that conservatives are looking for avenues to shift the dynamic in Congress.

McConnell and Boehner, meanwhile, continue to thank the nation for the House and Senate, and say, “Now just give us the presidency and we will actually be able to deliver for conservatives.” In light of the ‘accomplishments’ of the GOP majority this year, it will truly matter which president takes a seat in the Oval Office.

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