The Strong Man and the System: The House

There are actually three groupings in the House:  the Republicans; the Democrats; and the Freedom Caucus, which, during the Obama Administration, used extreme obstructionist tactics to promote a limited government agenda. The question today is whether the Freedom Caucus will accept swaggering government in lieu of limited government as long as Trump is President.  If so, the GOP agenda will move smoothly through the House;  if not, you could see the same kind of crises over the debt ceiling increase to which we have become accustomed over the last six years, and Ryan may need Democratic votes to keep the government open.

My guess is that the Freedom Caucus will be driven by the polls.  So long as Trump is perceived to be popular, swaggering will be the order of the day.  If he falls off the charts, obstructionism may return with a vengeance.