One explanation for why the Republicans in the U.S. Congress have voted for this incredibly destructive bill — a bill that is particularly (and deeply) harmful to their own constituents in red states — is maybe the simplest explanation: Fear.
It is already clear that this administration is methodically laying the groundwork for an authoritarian outcome. In another two years, our country might very well come to resemble Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, or perhaps something even worse.
In 2026 we may have what will be called elections. But given all that is going on, those might turn out be elections in name only.
The upshot is that Republican legislators do not dare cross the boss. The long term consequences might be unpleasant for them, to say the least.