Shamed from CPAC stage? Fewer GOP lawmakers invited to confab after congressional flubs

Conservative Political Action Conference Chairman Matt Schlapp said that the 2024 event will have fewer GOP lawmakers in attendance and more state legislators and community leaders. 

"We have fewer congressmen and senators than we've probably ever had, and that was on purpose," Schlapp told the John Solomon Reports podcast. "Because if you're not going to do anything with your power, then maybe you don't get time on our stage."

Schlapp added that there would be a lot of international speakers for the upcoming conference. 

"Why don't we invite people that are doing something with less power?" he asked. "What's interesting is that we have a ton of international people coming because they see CPAC as a rallying cry to push back on the World Economic Forum."

This year's conference will again be held at the National Harbor, in suburban Maryland, from Feb. 21-24. 

Some speakers listed include North Carolina Lieutenant Gov. Mark Robinson, Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall, Virginia House of Delegates Member Nick Freitas, and founder of CPAC Australia Andrew Cooper.

GOP lawmakers that are attending include Senators J.D. Vance of Ohio, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio. 

Republicans in both the House and the Senate have gotten backlash from the GOP base over recent votes, legislation, and failed promises.

Republicans in the House earlier this month failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas due to his handling of the U.S. southern border. They are expected to do a re-do but it was a huge blow to the GOP base. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson has gotten pushback from members of the House Freedom Caucus over the House passing a continuing resolution last month to extend current federal funding levels and avoid a government shutdown, despite many members being opposed to continuing resolutions.

The Senate is currently under fire from Republicans for passing a $95.3 billion foreign aid package with nothing for the southern border. "I for one think that the American people are opposed to this bill. I think they're opposed to the concept of Ukraine first and America last," Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor Monday evening hours before the bill passed 70-29. 

Schlapp said that many attendees at this year's CPAC want former President Donald Trump, who will be attending CPAC, to be president again.

"We got to have for every day long, hardworking days of progress, and then we'll see where America goes from there," he said.