We need states to hold primaries in August and September, so incumbent senators and representatives who lose their primaries have the least opportunity to cause havoc during their remaining months in Congress.
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Currently, 16 states hold their primary in August. Massachusetts holds its primary on September 1, New Hampshire and Rhode Island on September 8, and Delaware on September 15. The rest are scattered throughout May and June. (There are exceptions, such as South Carolina holding a second Republican primary following Senator Lindsey Graham’s death on July 11.)
In most companies, if you are fired or laid off, that day you pack up your office or cubicle and leave. Often, a member of the HR staff stands to watch as you take your personal possessions and sign off on company equipment being left behind. Even employees leaving on good terms are frequently paid for the traditional two weeks’ notice rather than having them hang around the office.
Companies know that soon-to-be ex-employees shouldn’t be kept around, especially those who are laid off or fired. These now ex-employees are likely to be belligerent and angry, causing problems for the remaining staff and possibly sabotaging the business or boss on their way out the door. Behind frozen smiles could be people seething that their years of service are no longer valued or appreciated.
So why do we allow “fired” incumbents to stay on the job for several months?
That is exactly what we do when Congressional incumbents lose their re-election bid but keep their position through early January of the following year, when the new Congress is sworn in. For states that have primaries in May, this means the “fired” senators or representatives have more than five months to plot revenge against constituents who didn’t re-elect them. Or they might focus their anger on the president and his administration for failing to support their re-election bid.
This holds true for both parties, but on the Republican side, these “fired” senators and representatives become part of the YOLO Caucus. (Stands for “you only live once.”) As described by The New York Times, an unofficial, bipartisan-leaning group of Republican lawmakers in Congress who, having lost their primaries or announced their retirements, no longer fear political retaliation. Freed from electoral pressure, these “dead pols walking” have become increasingly willing to defy the president’s legislative agenda and reassert congressional authority.
Does anyone think that members of the YOLO Caucus will devote their final months in Congress working for their constituents or advancing President Trump’s America First agenda? Four come to mind:
- Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy
- Texas Senator John Cornyn
- South Carolina’s Nancy Mace
- Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie
Within a few weeks of being “fired,” Louisiana Republican Senator Cassidy switched his previous position and voted with Democrats on a war powers resolution related to Iran. He also opposes any taxpayer funds for the much-needed White House ballroom. He called the Trump administration’s so-called anti-weaponization fund a “slush fund” that he wants Congress to scrutinize.
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Texas Senator Cornyn was gracious in his runoff concession speech upon losing to Attorney General Ken Paxton. However, in the days since the primary runoff, he started pivoting toward mean-spiritedness. In a New York Times interview, Cornyn threatened President Trump by saying, “I think it is going to be a pretty bumpy ride for the next seven months.”
Less than one week after losing his primary, Kentucky Rep. Massie filed to run for his House seat in 2028. A two-year campaign should give the antisemitic Massie an outlet for connecting everything that upsets him to his hatred for Israel. In the meantime, he’s gone on the House floor several times to antagonize the MAGA base.
South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace was embarrassed by her fifth-place loss in the gubernatorial primary. Responding to a supportive social media post from comedian and actor Rob Schneider, Rep. Mace wrote: Don’t worry sir [sic], I promise to be more of a menace than ever. There is nothing to hold me back.”
In Mace’s case, with the unfortunate passing of Senator Lindsay Graham, Rep. Mace might be better behaved if she is considering running for that Senate seat.
It’s insane to allow Congressional officials to hang around for up to five months following their “firing.” The best scenario would be autumn primaries. They would quickly be followed by Election Day and then several long Congressional breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. This would leave less time for the YOLO Caucus to do any harm to their district, state, and/or country.
Image created using AI.
Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She is the founder and editor of Patriot Neighbors, a free weekly national newsletter. Robin can be reached at [email protected].
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