| | While the GOP increased its vote share across the entire nation, Trump made the largest gains in the rural [[Midwest]] and [[Rust Belt]], traditionally a Democrat blue collar stronghold.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/08/us/elections/how-trump-pushed-the-election-map-to-the-right.html How Trump Reshaped the Election Map]. ''The New York Times''. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> | | While the GOP increased its vote share across the entire nation, Trump made the largest gains in the rural [[Midwest]] and [[Rust Belt]], traditionally a Democrat blue collar stronghold.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/08/us/elections/how-trump-pushed-the-election-map-to-the-right.html How Trump Reshaped the Election Map]. ''The New York Times''. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> |
| − | Because of the large gains, the GOP had a massive opportunity to pass [[Conservative|common sense conservative]] legislation and repeal leftist social and economic quagmires.<ref name="ReshapeLaws"/> | + | Because of the large gains, the GOP had a massive opportunity to pass [[Conservative|common sense conservative]] legislation and repeal leftist social and economic quagmires.<ref name="ReshapeLaws"/> At the beginning of 2017, Congressional Republicans were also more united during Trump's presidency than in any other time in recent U.S. political history.<ref>Stucky, Phillip (April 2, 2017). [https://dailycaller.com/2017/04/02/trump-smashes-records-with-party-unity/ Trump Smashes Records With Party Unity]. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved April 2, 2017.</ref> However, despite these opportunities, the 115th U.S. Congress saw many missed opportunities to advance conservative policies and priorities.<ref>Sherfinski, David; Dinan, Stephen (January 3, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/3/republicans-relinquish-congress-whimper-more-misse/ Republicans relinquish Congress with whimper: 'More missed opportunities than anything']. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.<br>See also: |
| | In May 2017, the RNC raised a record $10.8 million,<ref>Kew, Ben (June 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/21/rnc-raises-more-dems/ Dems Fundraising Lowest Since May 2003; RNC Raises Record $10.8 Million]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 21, 2017.</ref> while the DNC raised $4.29 million, the lowest raised in the month since 2003.<ref>Persons, Sally (June 21, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/21/dnc-hits-another-fundraising-low/ DNC hits another fundraising low]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 21, 2017.</ref><ref>Bowden, John (June 21, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/338864-democrats-only-raised-43-million-in-may-worst-fundraising-since-2003 Democrats raised just $4.3M in May]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 22, 2017.</ref> The RNC broke another record in June 2017, raising $13.4 million,<ref>Kew, Ben (July 20, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/20/rnc-breaks-another-fundraising-record-raises-record-13-4-million-in-june/ RNC Breaks Another Fundraising Record, Raises Record $13.4 Million in June]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 20, 2017.</ref><ref>Siegel, Josh (July 20, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rnc-announces-it-raised-135-million-in-june-a-record-for-a-month-in-a-non-presidential-year/article/2629300 RNC announces it raised $13.5 million in June, a record for a month in a non-presidential year]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 20, 2017.</ref> as well as July.<ref>Kew, Ben (August 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/08/21/rnc-breaks-another-fundraising-record-as-democrats-struggle/ RNC Breaks Another Fundraising Record as Democrats Struggle]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 22, 2017.</ref> In 2017 overall, the RNC raised over $130 million, a large amount for an off-election year,<ref>Multiple references: | | In May 2017, the RNC raised a record $10.8 million,<ref>Kew, Ben (June 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/21/rnc-raises-more-dems/ Dems Fundraising Lowest Since May 2003; RNC Raises Record $10.8 Million]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 21, 2017.</ref> while the DNC raised $4.29 million, the lowest raised in the month since 2003.<ref>Persons, Sally (June 21, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/21/dnc-hits-another-fundraising-low/ DNC hits another fundraising low]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 21, 2017.</ref><ref>Bowden, John (June 21, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/338864-democrats-only-raised-43-million-in-may-worst-fundraising-since-2003 Democrats raised just $4.3M in May]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 22, 2017.</ref> The RNC broke another record in June 2017, raising $13.4 million,<ref>Kew, Ben (July 20, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/20/rnc-breaks-another-fundraising-record-raises-record-13-4-million-in-june/ RNC Breaks Another Fundraising Record, Raises Record $13.4 Million in June]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 20, 2017.</ref><ref>Siegel, Josh (July 20, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rnc-announces-it-raised-135-million-in-june-a-record-for-a-month-in-a-non-presidential-year/article/2629300 RNC announces it raised $13.5 million in June, a record for a month in a non-presidential year]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 20, 2017.</ref> as well as July.<ref>Kew, Ben (August 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/08/21/rnc-breaks-another-fundraising-record-as-democrats-struggle/ RNC Breaks Another Fundraising Record as Democrats Struggle]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 22, 2017.</ref> In 2017 overall, the RNC raised over $130 million, a large amount for an off-election year,<ref>Multiple references: |