From an individualistic, selfish viewpoint, what motivation is there for the individual long-term Republican in the Senate or House to change anything?
No matter which party dominates, once elected, they get their salaries and pension goodies, "power" in terms of staff and access to the newpapers, "honor" (standard letter salutations include "the Honorable so-and-so), and prestige.
So what is their motivation to change, when the goal is to be re-elected? After all, prior history says whatever they did previously to stay in office should not be changed.
So why bother trying to upset the system?
The Honorable Terry, 230RN