Feb 3, 2021 - Politics & Policy

House Republicans vote to keep Liz Cheney in leadership

Alayna Treene

Representative Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, center, wears a protective mask as she walks to a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 3 — Rep. Liz Cheney on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

House Republicans on Wednesday voted 145-61 to keep Rep. Liz Cheney as chair of the GOP conference.

Why it matters: Leadership hopes that with this vote, Republican lawmakers can move forward from the drama surrounding Cheney's decision to impeach former President Trump, and focus on a unified message ahead of the 2022 midterms.

Driving the news: The vote came after a tense, hours-long meeting about the future of the party following a push by pro-Trump members to oust Cheney.

What they're saying: House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who opened Wednesday night's meeting by telling the conference that he supported Cheney and wanted her to remain in her role, told reporters that she "got a resounding shot in the arm" with that vote, and that the party is "united, we've got the right leadership team behind it."

Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), who voted to oust Cheney from her leadership role, told Axios: "It wasn't the position that I supported, but I'm moving forward. Liz is going to stay as conference chair, and we're gonna work together to take back the majority."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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House Republicans vote to keep Liz Cheney in leadership

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