GOP’s YOLO caucus could be trouble for Trump agenda

A small but growing number of lawmakers are breaking with the White House.

- By STEVEN SLOAN AND JOEY CAPPELLETTI

SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-La.) voted with Democrats to rein in U.S. action in Iran.

(KEVIN DIETSCH Getty Images)

The YOLO caucus is in session.

In a Republican-led Congress defined by deference to President Trump, there’s a small but steadily growing cohort who have found themselves more willing to break with the White House.

Although the president maintains a firm grip on Republican voters, the expanding club could hinder his agenda on everything from the Iran war to immigration funding at a moment when his party holds a tenuous majority on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is the newest member of the club. Just days after losing his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, Cassidy on Tuesday reversed himself on legislation involving the war in Iran and voted with Democrats to rein in U.S. military action.

‘‘The way our Constitution is set up, Congress should hold the executive branch accountable,’’ he told reporters the day before.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas could be next after Trump endorsed Ken Paxton, Cornyn’s rival for the Republican nomination in next week’s runoff.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky is perhaps a founding member of the YOLO caucus — slang for ‘‘you only live once,’’ used to punctuate unbothered or even foolhardy behavior.

He frustrated Trump since the president’s first term, and his status was solidified after losing his primary on Tuesday to a Trump-backed challenger. Massie has enraged Trump by voting against his signature tax and spending bill and by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

He hinted there’s more to come before he leaves office.

‘‘I got seven months left in Congress,’’ Massie said with a grin during his concession speech as the crowd erupted.