WASHINGTON- U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (R) says the sharp partisan divide in Congress is a reflection of broader divisions across the country.
When asked in an interview with TexasPolitics whether he had ever seen tensions this high between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, Sessions pointed to the ideological direction of the Democratic Party.
"The divide among us is represented by where the country is, and the country, without question, has people who disagree with both parties," said Sessions. "And there are Democrats that openly want to move their party further and further left. We see evidence of this routinely."
He cited recent reports about a radical activist group near the site of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing as an example of fringe movements on the left. Sessions argued that such groups reinforce perceptions of extremism among conservatives.
At the same time, he acknowledged that that fringe elements also exist on the right, though he framed them as largely reactive.
"What drives the fringe on the right is they look at Antifa that gets away with things in our cities," said Sessions.
He referenced violent clashes in cities like Minneapolis and Portland, as well as the high-profile case of Kyle Rittenhouse.
"I think it's a fight against each other," said Sessions, noting that abortion is anotehr flashpoint issue fueling division.
Sessions emphasized that the rising polarization in Congress mirrors what is happening outside Washington, warning that both sides are being pushed further apart by ideological extremes.
