A Very Dangerous Time For America To Be Without One Of Its Leaders
On Thursday, October 12, Rep. Steve Scalise withdrew his name for consideration as speaker of the House. Scalise had won the nomination for Speaker Republican conference approval 113-99 (212 total) on Wednesday, October 11th. On October 13, the House met again and in a 124-81 (205 total) vote, Republicans picked Jordan over Rep. Austin Scott (R., Ga.), a low-profile Republican who made a last-minute decision to run as the candidate for Jordan critics to try and choose a new speaker. They left for the weekend as yet another nominee tries to figure out how to get to 217 and become Speaker. This update in the speakers' race comes as the House floor has been shut down for two weeks amidst an ongoing need for Ukraine funding, a government shutdown in a month, and now a war in Israel. Although Jordan has support from the Freedom Caucus, Punchbowl News has reported that several lawmakers have already said they are prepared to vote against Jordan on the floor.
Other Names in the Race So Far
During the conference at the end of the week, where Scalise pulled his name, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Rep. Kevin Hern, Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, and acting speaker Patrick McHenry were named as potential candidates. These candidates have said they will support the will of the conference but are open to being drafted into the position.
Another scenario on the table so far is Kevin McCarthy. Some in the conference are calling this the "Only Kevin" crowd, who have not let go of the idea of McCarthy as speaker and believe he is the most viable option. A new letter supporting the ousted speaker has been circulating in hopes of restoring him.
Hakeem Jefferies and other democrats have said they would support a speaker who would lead a bipartisan House. The name Tom Cole of Oklahoma has surfaced as a viable option, but it seems like every other option would have to fail before Cole is installed as speaker.
Finally, extending the powers of acting Speaker McHenry to pass vital Ukraine and Israel aid is being discussed in a letter from four moderate Democrats in a letter to McHenry sent on the 13th as well. This initiative has been spearheaded by Representatives, Josh Gottheimer, Ed Case, Susie Lee and Jared Golden which suggested that the House vote on temporary, expanded authorities that would allow the House to take up the most urgent bills — namely, government funding plans.
Specifically, the Democrats propose to let McHenry bring up any emergency aid for Ukraine or Israel, a short-term bill that extends government funding through Jan. 11, or general consideration of fiscal 2024 spending bills. Those powers should be limited to 15-day increments, they proposed, with extensions possible if the House GOP continues to remain without a leader.
In exchange, the Democratic quartet suggested, their party would be allowed to fill up 50 percent of the House's suspension calendar — which is reserved for noncontroversial bills and requires two-thirds votes for passage, not simple majorities.
Unsurprisingly, Rep. Matt Gaetz has already spoken out against a similar proposal.
Moving Forward
Many think Jim Jordan will meet the same fate as McCarthy and Scalise; with no reliable path to 217. House Republicans remain in a state of paralysis. With new names being thrown into the ring almost every hour, it is clear there is no current viable option. The Washington Post reported that during the Republican Conference meetings, Republicans voted down a rule change proposal that would require their speaker candidate to secure 217 votes before taking the nomination to the floor of the House.
Late last week, the White House called for a meeting with top lawmakers to discuss plans for sending aid to Israel. Included from the House side will be top House appropriations, leaders of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Patrick McHenry. However, without any leadership in the House, it is impossible for any aid packages to get out the door.
The roots of the current crisis can be traced back to when American voters decided to award just over half the House to Republicans and just under half to Democrats. The prospect of divided government might seem to be a recipe for bipartisanship, but the new majority included the Freedom Caucus, who have been adamantly opposed to compromise of any sort. McCarthy seemed to have a handle on the situation, but it all quickly came crashing down in the swift motion to vacate, with no clear succession plan. It’s becoming clear that this is coming at great cost at home and abroad.
Not only does this conflict over the speakership reflect poorly on House Republicans, but it also sends a larger message of discord and partisan divisions to our adversaries. At such a critical time for America and the world, with a war in Ukraine which relies on support from the United States and a new war involving one of our closest allies, Israel, it is imperative a solution be reached in the coming weeks. Both these issues, as well as funding the government by November 17, have broad bipartisan support and require the Republican party to put forth a candidate capable of uniting Congress around these issues. With many Republicans still reeling from the failed bid by Scalise, who was forced to abandon his bid Thursday after several dozen colleagues declined to rally to his side, it is hard to see how Jordan can achieve 217 either. The world has arrived at a very dangerous hour, and America seems unprepared to lead us out of this emergency.
