Ahead of the afternoon meeting, some Republicans are urging Cheney to express remorse for her comments about his impeachment vote.
“If she apologizes, not for her votes but for the words she used and the way she handled it, she’s fine,” said one leading Republican member in the House who asked not to be criticized. -recognition. ”If she is angry and defiant, half the conference will oppose her. How will she stay that level? “
House Republicans are at a major crossroads as tensions move over Cheney and Greene and there is pressure on the conference to record a way forward after Trump’s presidency.
Cheney is expected to face her vote and her decision to issue a statement about what President Donald Trump did, but her friends do not expect her to apologize.
The Wyoming communicator has been moving behind the scenes for support despite criticism – and her defenders are confident she will receive the support she needs to challenge the role. she will lead as chair of the House Republican conference.
“The House should do what the House chooses to do,” freshman Sen. said. Cynthia Lummis told reporters, refusing to offer any support to Cheney Republican Cheney.
Cheney is supported by John Barrasso, the grandfather of another Wyoming GOP.
Representative. Tom Reed of New York said he had spoken to Cheney and noticed he was willing to defend her at the conference meeting.
“So I told her that I would be like a voice saying, ‘Hey, guys, you know we don’t cleanse our colleagues. That’s not something we do. We, as a Republican, we are like family, we air our differences, we arrange it in the conference room just like I do with my older brothers and sisters, and we come out of it united, ‘”he said.
It is not yet certain whether there will be a vote in the afternoon to oust Cheney from the spot. The house ‘s GOP boss, Kevin McCarthy, has the power to cast a vote – something he could do just to get the issue off the table. Another thing, Cheney ‘s rulers could try to force a solo vote – and that process will take much longer to play out.
Cheney told CNN Wednesday ahead of the meeting that she was ready for an internal debate on the future of her leadership role with the party.
“Our debate will be internally at the conference,” Cheney said.
CNN’s Annie Grayer contributed to this report.