"Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine), Todd Young (Indiana), Mitt Romney (Utah) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) are all skipping the party's convention, according to the senators or their offices."

"Republicans are trying to project an image of party unified behind Trump to draw a sharp contrast with Democrats, who continue to wrangle over whether Biden should step aside as their nominee.

Most Republicans have fallen in line behind Trump.

Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) and GOP Senate Whip John Thune (South Dakota) " who leveled harsh criticisms at Trump over his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 " have come around.

But as Haley showed during the GOP primaries by consistently capturing double-digit percentages in states even after she dropped out of the race, a significant number of Republicans still refuse to back Trump, who now controls the party."

;

Why no Rand Paul?

"Paul grilled Vought on May 22 over the Trump administration's massive spending, comparing it to Democratic administrations, according to two sources familiar with what was said in the lunch.

Paul said Trump's team had "no credibility" on spending, one source said."