In a candid New York Times op-ed, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) issued a stark warning to her fellow Republicans, urging the House GOP leadership to embrace a more inclusive and action-oriented approach. Mace's commentary comes at a critical juncture, with the Republican Party holding a narrow majority in the House and facing intense scrutiny from voters.
Mace, who has represented South Carolina in Congress for five years, expressed her disillusionment with the current state of affairs in Washington. "I came to Congress believing I could make a difference for my constituents, for South Carolina, and for a country I love deeply," she stated. "But I’ve learned that the system in the House promotes control by party leaders over accountability and achievement."
According to Mace, this centralized control has led to a lack of accountability and a failure to accomplish meaningful legislative goals. She acknowledged that while Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is an improvement over his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the frustrations among rank-and-file members are mounting.
Mace specifically pointed out that women in the Republican Party often feel that their influence is more symbolic than substantive. She criticized the tokenism that she believes has pervaded the GOP, particularly since a woman has held the GOP conference chair position since 2013 without wielding significant power.
In a bold comparison, Mace suggested that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was more effective in her role than any Republican speaker this century. Despite her strong policy disagreements with Pelosi, Mace conceded that Pelosi understood the impermanence of majorities, a lesson she believes Republicans have overlooked.
The op-ed also highlighted Mace's frustration with the GOP's moderate policy-making approach during times of unified control of Congress and the White House. She accused her party of betraying the coalition that elected them by failing to decisively advance a conservative agenda.
Mace's critique is echoed in recent events that have exposed tensions within the Republican conference. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) openly accused Speaker Johnson of blocking her amendment, while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) bypassed GOP leadership with a discharge petition to force a vote on banning Congress members from trading individual stocks.
These actions underscore a growing impatience with the centralized control over the legislative agenda and a willingness among some Republicans to publicly challenge leadership on critical issues.
For Mace, the solution lies in structural reform: decentralizing power, increasing transparency, and allowing for broader member participation. She concluded her op-ed with a call to action, advocating for a democratic process that empowers members to legislate and deliver on promises. "We can restore regular order, empower members to legislate, and deliver on our promises," she wrote. "But that will require a fundamental shift, one that prioritizes courage over control. Let us vote. Let the people see. Let the chips fall. That’s democracy."
