House Speaker Paul Ryan is desperately trying to make this election for the Republican party be all about (deeply flawed) policy: taxes and finance and health care and poverty and all the really big stuff. He also wants to have the House do work before the election, like pass spending bills. He thinks that's the key to A) distracting people from Donald Trump's mouth, and B) his own political future. Once again, his problem children, the maniacs in his caucus, just aren't going to let that happen.
The House Freedom Caucus wants to make the rest of the year all about social issues, welfare changes, and Syrian refugees.
Following up on Speaker Paul Ryan’s agenda, the pugilistic conservative group has singled out five pieces of legislation that have the support of at least 80 percent of its members. Instead of waiting for a new president, members want to move the legislation as soon as the House returns from the August recess.
“We just think this is some actual legislation that can pass now,” HFC Chairman Jim Jordan said. “We would love to see this stuff brought up and passed in September. The kind of stuff that says, ‘Look, here’s what we’re for as we’re heading into an election,’ in a specific bill.”
And by "social issues" they mean things like the First Amendment Defense Act, which says anybody and everybody is free to discriminate against gay people as they see fit, or as Jesus tells them too. They also want "a conscience exemption for health care workers or groups that oppose abortion, allowing them to seek relief through the court system if they feel their rights are violated." Because it's vitally important that someone who has sworn a Hippocratic oath be able to withhold treatment to women.
They also want to have a work requirement for everyone getting food stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Never mind that they're already working, if they're not disabled: "Among SNAP households with at least one working-age, non-disabled adult, more than half work while receiving SNAP—and more than 80 percent work in the year prior to or the year after receiving SNAP. The rates are even higher for families with children—more than 60 percent work while receiving SNAP, and almost 90 percent work in the prior or subsequent year." So that's really helpful.
Also, too, Syrian refugees. Don't want 'em. And make sure they don't get any assistance if they're already here.
In other words, it's the Trump agenda. Have fun with that, Speaker Ryan.