Posted 3/5/2024, 11:00:00 AM
Earmarks and Abortion Funding Roil Senate GOP Leadership Race
- Package of 6 spending bills with over 6,000 earmarks faces opposition from GOP conservatives, threatening potential government shutdown
- Bills pit Republican leadership candidates Sens. Thune and Cornyn against each other as they balance leadership roles with appealing to conservative bloc
- Trump's growing power and McConnell's declining influence emboldens Senate conservatives to demand more concessions
- Sens. Lee and Scott lead conservative opposition to bill's "woke" earmarks and lack of restrictions on abortion funding
- Upcoming vote and secret ballot for next GOP leader puts pressure on Thune and Cornyn to balance leadership priorities vs. base demands