Despite Trump slam, Romney named to Senate GOP leadership team

[mystery-ak]

Despite Trump slam, Romney named to Senate GOP leadership team
by Susan Ferrechio
 | January 15, 2019 10:30 AM



Senate Republican leaders on Tuesday named newcomer and Trump critic Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, to the GOP whip team, weeks after the former GOP presidential nominee slammed Trump’s leadership style.

Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., released the names of GOP lawmakers to serve as deputy whips and Romney is among them, along with Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Shelley Moore Capito, of West Virginia, Rob Portman of Ohio, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Martha McSally of Arizona, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Todd Young of Indiana.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, was named chief deputy whip.

Thune selected Romney despite some pushback from GOP senators unhappy he launched his Senate career with an attack on the president. Romney penned a scathing New Year's Day op-ed in the Washington Post, arguing Trump’s behavior during the past two years in the White House “is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office.”

Romney backtracked slightly in later interviews about the op-ed. Trump, meanwhile, called on Romney to serve as "a team player" in the Senate.

Now Romney's on the whip team.

“Action is essential if we are to overcome the challenges facing Utahns and our nation,” Romney said in a statement. “Being part of this team will allow me to advocate for Utah priorities and to work with my Republican colleagues to find consensus on the pressing issues facing our nation.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/despite-trump-slam-romney-named-to-senate-gop-leadership-team