For most of Donald Trump's second term, congressional Republicans have been about as defiant as a well-trained Labrador. But with the November midterms looming and public approval ratings circling the drain, a surprising number of GOP lawmakers are suddenly discovering something they haven't felt in years: a spine.
In both the Senate and the House, small clusters of Republicans have begun teaming up with Democrats on measures that would require Trump to get congressional approval before continuing military action against Iran. Others in the House helped push through additional Ukraine aid and protections for Haitian deportees. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, is receiving a reception colder than a Minnesota January.
Democrats are gleefully calling this an unraveling of the GOP majority, but the truth may be less noble. With the public growing tired of the administration's chaos, these acts of defiance might be less about conscience and more about holding onto seats - a classic case of smelling the electoral coffee before it burns you.