Cheney, who currently serves as chair of the House Republican Conference, made clear in her Tuesday night floor speech that she isn't backing down against the former president, despite the expected cost to her political ambitions in the House. “Every one of us who has sworn the oath must act to prevent the unraveling of our democracy. This is not about policy. This is not about partisanship. This is about our duty as Americans," Cheney said. ADVERTISEMENT "Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar," Cheney continued. "I will not participate in that. I will not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law, and joins the former president's crusade to undermine our democracy."