By Theodore Bunker
Rep. Greg Murphy expressed surprise at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s abrupt resignation from Congress, stating that her decision caught him and other lawmakers off guard despite her public split with President Donald Trump. The North Carolina Republican, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee, responded to Greene’s 11-minute resignation video during an interview on Newsmax’s “National Report,” acknowledging agreement with some of her commentary about the length of congressional careers.
“Of course, there was this very public rift with the president. But to resign because of it or in a culmination of it, it took us all by surprise,” Murphy said when asked if the announcement surprised him. Greene’s video emphasized that Congress should not serve as “a lifelong career or an assisted living facility,” with Murphy noting that many longtime lawmakers illustrate her point.
“I agree with her. It does not need to be a rest home or anything in that sort. But that said, it takes a while to learn the rules of the game in Washington,” he added. Murphy, a surgeon who entered Congress six years ago, highlighted institutional power inside federal agencies often outlasting individual lawmakers. “The power of the agencies literally to outwait you, to outlive you as a member of Congress,” he said. “So many things that during Trump One, they just literally ignored because they just tried to wait until he was out of power.”
Murphy also noted Greene has softened her political style in recent months, stating, “At times she was very, very divisive. I think she has recognized that and shown some contrition with that. We do need less of that vitriol in Congress.” He weighed in on the ongoing Republican debate over healthcare policy, linking rising premiums to insurance company profits. “Obamacare, it should be very clear, was written by insurance companies for insurance companies,” Murphy said. “Premiums were going to go up regardless. A lot of this is because insurance company profits have gone down, so premiums have to go up to bolster those profits.” The congressman called for both parties to address what he termed the “root causes” of healthcare costs, stating, “There are about 12 things that we honestly could do to lower healthcare costs, and that is where we really need to concentrate things.”
