Why are plenty of people still surprised?

As G.O.P. lawmakers have largely ceded power to President Trump, they are also pushing the bounds of a little-known statute to undo federal rules — and potentially undermining the filibuster.

Derided by critics as the “Nasty Nine” and censured by the state party, a group of Republican state senators said they were simply advancing common-sense legislation and supporting the governor’s agenda.

House Republicans are planning to include several of President Trump’s campaign promises in the first draft of the bill, which they hope to release soon.