Republicans Hope Chaos Becomes Distant Memory

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Republicans worry the infighting that essentially shuttered the House for three weeks will serve as an obstacle to their bid to stay in the majority after next year’s elections. Several lawmakers acknowledge the recent chaos has not helped their chances, but they hope that time and results will help voters forget the dysfunction. There is precedent for such hopes. Republicans gained seats in the election following the 2013 government shutdown. Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the campaign arm for House Democrats, says candidates in key swing districts will contrast the fractures among House Republicans with a Democratic focus on the need to govern to meet constituents’ priorities.