1:20The Republican National Committee winter meeting in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.ABC News
The Republican National Committee adopted on Friday an amendment that will allow it to hold a midterms convention, in what the party chair said is an attempt to "defy history" and precedent where the incumbent party historically cedes ground during the midterm elections.
In most midterm elections, the incumbent president's party usually loses seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. But RNC Chair Joe Gruters told reporters on the sidelines of the party's winter meeting that they're trying to stem that and so need to do "some things that are a little bit different than normal."
"This is all to defy history. Four times in the last 150 years, the incumbent party has been successful. We're gonna be successful in holding the majorities in both the House and the Senate because of things like this."
The Republican National Committee winter meeting in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.ABC News
Gruters did not confirm many specifics about the convention, but said it would need a "half-year" runway, which would place the convention likely in July or August.
An RNC midterms convention would mark the first time the party has hosted such an event in modern history.
The Republican Party and President Donald Trump have also been grappling with low approval ratings on how they are handling affordability and the cost of living, with Trump indicating he feels the Republicans need to improve their messaging on the economy.
Asked by ABC News what role the RNC will play in that messaging, Gruters was adamant that the RNC will stand behind Trump — saying he has heard people say they are "excited" about the president's handling of the economy.
"I'm a CPA by trade, and I will tell you, talking to all my colleagues back at home, they're about to file these tax returns. People are very excited because these refunds that people are about to get are going to be the biggest refunds they ever got," Gruters said, attributing the boost to the president’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill” legislation and policies such as no tax on tips and overtime.
During the general session of the RNC's winter meeting on Friday, the committee adopted the amendment allowing them to have the midterm convention unanimously without any objections.
During the meeting, the RNC also discussed the Presidential Nominating Process Committee’s recommendation to keep the 2028 presidential calendar as it was in 2024, although the RNC did not take a formal vote on the calendar.
And members stood up for a standing ovation after passing a resolution honoring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and saying that the Republican Party "will remember and honor Charlie Kirk's lifetime of accomplishments."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com