House Republicans Seek New Speaker Amidst Turmoil

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Three weeks have passed since the removal of Kevin McCarthy from the position of House speaker, and House Republicans are now engaged in a private meeting to nominate a successor. Their primary objective is to unify a fractured and embittered GOP majority and return to the task of governing in Congress.

The House Republicans have already rejected two prominent GOP figures as potential replacements for McCarthy. Consequently, they are now casting their votes for a diverse group of lesser-known congressmen vying for the position of speaker, a role second only to the presidency in terms of power and influence. This private session could extend throughout the day, with Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama having announced his withdrawal earlier in the morning, leaving seven contenders in the running.

Rep. Dusty Johnson, a conservative caucus leader, stressed the urgency of overcoming their internal divisions, stating, “We’re going to have to figure out how to get our act together – I mean, big boys and big girls have got to quit making excuses, and we just got to get it done.”

However, the candidate list remains extensive and lacks a clear frontrunner. Notable contenders include Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, a former McDonald’s franchise owner and conservative leader; Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, a former hockey coach who sought Donald Trump’s support; Byron Donalds of Florida, a well-regarded Trump ally, and several others.

It is not anticipated that a nominee will emerge after the first round of voting, and Republicans plan to continue deliberations behind closed doors until a consensus is reached. Some have advocated for a signed pledge to support the majority winner, but not everyone has committed to this approach. The intention is to hold a House floor vote later this week.

The House has been in a state of turmoil since the beginning of the month, with no speaker in place after a group of hardline Republicans ousted McCarthy. This has resulted in a governance crisis, hindering the normal functioning of Congress.

The federal government faces the risk of a shutdown in a matter of weeks if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by a November 17 deadline. President Joe Biden has urgently requested $105 billion in aid, intended to support Israel and Ukraine during their conflicts and secure the U.S. border with Mexico. Additionally, federal aviation and farming programs face potential expiration without prompt action.

Most of the individuals vying for the position of speaker are conservatives who either voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results or challenged them in subsequent lawsuits following Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump. Some Democrats have considered Emmer, the most senior candidate who voted to certify the 2020 election results, as a potential partner in governing the House. However, Trump allies and hardliners have criticized Emmer for his support of a same-sex marriage initiative and perceived criticisms of the former president.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, who played a role in McCarthy’s removal, has endorsed several of the candidates, believing that they would make a “phenomenal” choice for speaker. Other contenders include Reps. Jack Bergman of Michigan, Austin Scott of Georgia, and Pete Sessions of Texas. Palmer and Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania have both withdrawn from the race.

Resistance from hard-liners centers around a desire for a leader who did not support the budget deal struck between McCarthy and Biden earlier this year, which established federal spending levels that do not align with the far-right Republicans’ priorities. They are advocating for deeper cuts to federal programs and services ahead of next month’s funding deadline.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has sought assurances that the candidates would pursue impeachment inquiries into Biden and other top Cabinet officials.

In preparation for Tuesday’s internal party voting, Republicans gathered on Monday evening to hear brief speeches from the congressmen vying for the speaker’s position. Despite factional divisions within the party, some semblance of compromise appeared to emerge, as indicated by Rep. Nick LaLota, a centrist New York Republican.

Nonetheless, Capitol Hill remains rife with factional power struggles among the so-called “five families” that make up the House Republican majority. Originally launched in response to right-flank grievances about McCarthy’s leadership in budget disputes, the purpose and ultimate goals of the House Republicans have become less clear.

Former President Trump, while not directly involved in the selection process, has expressed his preference for Rep. Jim Jordan over Majority Leader Steve Scalise. However, Jordan was dropped as the nominee due in part to the aggressive tactics employed by some of his supporters, including death threats.

As the House grapples with this leadership crisis, it is temporarily led by Rep. Patrick McHenry, who serves as the speaker pro tempore. Some members from both parties have proposed giving McHenry more authority to facilitate the routine governance of the House. However, McHenry, the first person to occupy this position created in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, has declined to embrace these overtures.

In summary, the House Republicans are in the midst of a challenging process to select a new speaker, with no clear frontrunner emerging. The outcome of this decision will significantly impact the direction of the party and its ability to govern effectively.

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More about House Republicans

• House Republicans Face Leadership Crisis
• Candidates for House Speaker
• Importance of House Speaker
• Challenges in Speaker Selection
• Consequences of Delay
• Former President Trump’s Influence
• Role of Rep. Patrick McHenry