What is the Republican party for?
It serves two purposes.
Purpose 1: Swallow the conservative agenda and ensure that it never advances at all on any front.
Purpose 2: Mind the shop while Democrats are in disfavor until such time as the Democrats mange to get themselves back into favor.
Subpurpose a: Assist Purpose 2 by engaging in Purpose 1.
It sure seems that way. Boehner and McConnell seem to be playing to lose. They're not comfortable in the majority and have no desire to lead. They'd rather put up a token resistance to evil as the minority and collect their big fat pensions.
And maintain the illusion that voting matters. That is really important, otherwise the public may come to realize that it is not self-governing.