1. Ken Buck shifted his focus from curtailing government spending to criticizing conservatives who shielded Donald Trump.
2. Buck expressed concern that the populist wave eroded conservative values and led to increased partisanship in Congress.
3. The former lawmaker highlighted the need for consensus in order for the GOP to secure conservative victories in Capitol Hill.
Ken Buck, a former Colorado congressman known for his conservatism during his time in the US House of Representatives, expressed concern over a shift in focus among some conservatives. He noted that some conservatives have moved away from their original focus on reducing government spending to defending former President Donald Trump and becoming increasingly partisan in the process. Buck believes that the populist wave has eroded traditional conservative values and lamented the shift in priorities among some of his former colleagues.
Buck gained attention for being one of only three House Republicans to oppose the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in February. He also faced backlash from the House Freedom Caucus, who removed him for “nonattendance” shortly before he left Congress. Despite this, Buck emphasized the importance of finding consensus within the GOP to achieve conservative victories in legislation. He criticized the trend towards seeking ideologically pure bills, claiming that this approach has been detrimental to the party’s ability to effectively govern and secure wins on Capitol Hill.
Overall, Buck’s comments highlight his concerns with the direction of some conservatives in the current political landscape. He believes that the focus on defending Trump and partisan battles has eroded core conservative values and hindered the GOP’s ability to enact meaningful legislation. Buck’s warnings serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking consensus and prioritizing governance over partisanship in order to achieve success in Congress.