The South Carolina House faced a tumultuous day on its second-to-last day, as members engaged in heated arguments over rules and traded insults. Republican Rep. Micah Caskey wore a tin foil hat while taking a swipe at the Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative members within his party. Freedom Caucus member Republican Rep. April Cromer called for a bill restructuring the state’s health agencies to be read in its entirety, which would have extended the session past the adjournment time. However, the request was withdrawn when another member invoked a rule requiring all members to return, even those who had left without permission. Despite the chaos, the House managed to pass its amendments to the state budget and the health agencies restructuring bill.
The day began to unravel before lunch when the Freedom Caucus proposed an amendment to the state budget that would allow gold or silver coins from the U.S. or any other country to be accepted as legal tender in South Carolina. The amendment was successfully challenged on the grounds that it was not relevant to the budget. Caskey, in response, put on a hat made of aluminum foil with the Freedom Caucus logo on it, urging members to support the amendment and stop thinking too much. The tense atmosphere escalated as Freedom Caucus members accused Caskey of engaging in personal attacks instead of addressing their ideas. The conflict between the Freedom Caucus and mainstream Republicans has been simmering throughout the session, with accusations that the conservative members are more focused on scoring points on social media and defeating other Republicans in primaries instead of governance.
Republican House Speaker Murrell Smith expressed frustration with the chaos, stating, “We’re all going to suffer together guys.” The heated exchanges continued as Caskey mocked the Freedom Caucus members and their tactics, leading to further tensions on the floor. At one point, Freedom Caucus member and Republican Josiah Magnuson called out Caskey for making snide remarks, highlighting the deep divide within the party. The infighting and discord among Republicans have hindered the House proceedings, causing delays and disruptions as the session nears its end. Despite the challenges, the House managed to push through its amendments to the state budget and the restructuring of health agencies bill.
The ongoing conflict between mainstream Republicans and the Freedom Caucus has raised concerns about the party’s unity and ability to govern effectively. With the Freedom Caucus pushing for more conservative policies and clashing with other members over tactics and priorities, the party is struggling to present a united front. The infighting has spilled over into legislative debates, leading to disruptions and delays in passing crucial bills. As the session comes to a close, tensions within the Republican Party are likely to continue, posing challenges for future cooperation and collaboration on key issues. The deep divisions within the party threaten to undermine its ability to effectively lead and govern in South Carolina.
In the midst of the chaos and discord, the House managed to pass important legislation, including amendments to the state budget and the restructuring of health agencies bill. Despite the challenges and disruptions caused by the infighting, members were able to come together to address key issues facing the state. Moving forward, the Republican Party in South Carolina will need to find ways to bridge the divides and work towards a more unified approach to governance. As the session draws to a close, lawmakers will need to focus on putting aside their differences and working together to address the needs of the state and its residents. Only through cooperation and collaboration can the party overcome its internal struggles and effectively lead in South Carolina.
