Survey Reveals Shift in Republican Ideology
A new survey indicates that during Donald Trump’s second term, congressional Republicans have grown less moderate and have shown diminished support for limited government principles. The Institute for Legislative Analysis (ILA) released its 2026 Congressional Voting Report, analyzing over 250,000 votes while scoring members of Congress on an ideological scale from 0 to 100.
The report highlights that, by 2025, far fewer Republicans are likely to score below 60% on the ILA’s scale compared to 2023, which suggests a marked shift in their voting behavior. In fact, nearly every Republican in the House and Senate scored above 60%, reflecting a trend of moderate Republicans aligning more closely with Trump’s policies.
Interestingly, the number of Republicans scoring above 90% on limited government principles has drastically dropped—from 63 in 2023 to just 27 in 2025. This shift raises questions about the future of traditional conservative values within the party.
Will RINOs Become Extinct?
The report notes the case of Republican Rep. Mike Lawler from New York, who exemplifies the trend of centrist Republicans shifting to the right under Trump’s influence. Despite previously holding a more moderate stance, his ILA score has risen significantly in recent years.
Specifically, Lawler’s score jumped from 46.83 in 2023 to 64.14 in 2025. Such changes suggest a movement towards more unified voting patterns rather than just rhetoric. Additionally, Lawler has backed bills tied to Trump’s agenda, such as the Federal State Reparations Act of 2025, which involves significant funding cuts.
The ILA has pointed out a concerning trend—the near disappearance of hardline constitutionalists and proponents of limited government in Congress, while others have adopted more populist and nationalist views.
A Change in Direction
In the past, Republican orthodoxy often emphasized free trade and skepticism towards extensive government intervention. However, there’s a growing normalization of populist approaches, which could signal a lasting transformation within the party. For example, figures like Sen. Josh Hawley have diverged significantly from limited government orthodoxy, adopting more interventionist stances in various areas, including labor and possibly healthcare.
Moreover, while individuals like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massey have remained consistent in their philosophies, the broader Republican movement is appearing more populist. Hawley’s lifetime score reflects both strong support for certain principles and noticeable shifts in other areas, attributable to a changing ideology within the party.
The ILA’s findings echo that various factions of the Republican Party are increasingly drawn to Trump’s policy framework, mirroring trends seen on the Democratic side, where more internal variation is starting to emerge.
Interestingly, the ILA’s study also mentions the lowest-rated Republican, Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, with a score of 49.25%. Meanwhile, the highest scores among Democrats are also revealing, with some party members struggling to gain traction.
Ultimately, the ILA aims to promote limited government principles and is working to expand its rating system for more detailed insights on legislators’ policy positions, particularly as the midterm elections approach.
