The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) serves as the House GOP’s main fundraising organization. The committee has helped elect Republicans to the lower chamber and a number of other party initiatives ever since 1866. However, internal issues put the committee’s leadership in disarray rather than concentrating on what happened in the 2022 midterm elections and trying to rectify it.
On November 14, Punchbowl News reported that John Billings, the executive director of the NRCC, had resigned as a result of workplace sexual harassment claims. With the company, Billings began working in 2019. He oversaw the Patriot Program, which provided funding to incumbent politicians running for reelection. In 2021, he advanced to the position of director.
Billings’ termination was verified by the NRCC, which also noted that it doesn’t comment to the media on personnel issues. Punchbowl disclosed that the former director was suspended by the committee prior to his resignation.
NEWS in @PunchbowlNews Midday
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 14, 2022
NRCC exec director out after complaints about improper behavior.
John Billings was suspended and later resignedhttps://t.co/BBiXpK7Cry
The scandal now falls on committee Chairman Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who already has a lot of explaining to do after leading an underwhelming GOP performance in the midterms. Troubles within the NRCC could backfire and cause Emmer strife in his bid for an upcoming congressional leadership spot in the caucus.
GOP strategists and detractors claimed that Emmer mostly failed to win any House seats in the midterm elections or achieve any accomplishments while looking into sexual harassment. “If you fail at your job, you shouldn’t get a promotion,” consultant Ryan James Girdusky told the Star Tribune regarding Emmer’s bid for House Whip.
