Statement on Cheney Leadership Removal

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We are deeply disturbed by and disappointed in today’s vote by House Republican leadership to remove Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) from her leadership role — a vote they didn’t even have the courage to take on the record, instead voting anonymously by voice.

This move is counterproductive to building a “big tent” party that would encompass and embrace diversity of thought. The future of the Republican party cannot and should not be based around fealty to a single individual.

We stand with Rep. Cheney in recognizing the truth that the results of the 2020 election were indeed valid — and that continuing to disregard this most basic reality will be a detriment to the long-term health of the party and to our democracy.

Recent polling shows that a vast majority of swing voters see ousting Cheney as a huge mistake for the GOP — voters who are critical to GOP victories across the country. Without these swing voters, including the key demographic of educated suburban women, the GOP will fail to be successful in elections to come.

It is especially disappointing to watch the Republican leadership who pushed this issue convince a female Republican colleague, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) to do the dirty work of filing the motion, further distancing themselves and their white, male colleagues from any responsibility. 

Cheney's record as a conservative is unquestionable, and her leadership brought hope for an ideologically strong and healthy party. Today’s vote is yet another failure of Republican leaders to demonstrate vision for a future based on more than a cult of personality.

We stand by Rep. Cheney and the others who remain dedicated to upholding our constitution and strengthening our fragile democracy. It’s time the GOP returns to a party focused on making good policy, serving its constituents and its country, and denouncing the lies, populism, and hate that it’s fostered over the last five years.

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