Oh no, they laid down, and closed their eyes, and obfuscated their fiduciary responsibilities of oversight, and used hot button issues in a failed attempt to maintain power. Republicans were drunk with the idea of a permanent majority, and did nothing to ensure it's existence.

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"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson