Can Everybody Calm Down Over The Speaker’s Race? Debate Is Good, Gridlock Is Essential
It’s January 4, 2023, and as of press time, the House of Representatives is without a speaker.
What’s the big deal?
Much of the Washington, D.C., political class is in hysterics because the GOP has been forced to debate over who should lead Congress — Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) or another Republican. The negotiations seem to be stuck at this point.
Twenty Republicans held out on Tuesday McCarthy supported them and they were then compared to petulant children or even the Taliban. some reports. They may want to select a conservative speaker who is more focused on fiscal spending or social issues. Rep. Chip Roy (R.TX) has more specific requests. He wants votes on items like term limits or border security.
All of them have not changed their stance against McCarthy thus far.
McCarthy insists for his part that he won’t step aside.
“Today, is that the day I wanted to have? No,” McCarthy told Reporters late Tuesday night, adding that dropping out is a good idea. “not going to happen.”
It seems the message to those still holding out is “get in line and shut up.”
Critics of the holdouts claim that the anti-McCarthy alliance has not offered viable alternatives.
This is true. But, the cause could also be the way “the swamp” works. As Roy explained, D.C. doesn’t exactly reward individuals who take a stand against those in charge.
“The swamp doesn’You can’t make for ‘fielding viable alternatives’ w/o pressure – see, e.g., threats this morning to yank people from committees who aren’t ‘in line,’” Roy tweeted. “We (conservatives) b**** about how broken DC is, but then some force a fight to change it, & people get squeamish?”
The swamp doesn’t make for “fielding viable alternatives” w/o pressure – see, e.g., threats this morning to yank people from committees who aren’t “in line.” The Conservatives mutter about DC’s ills, but then they force it to be changed, and people are squeamish. https://t.co/3NJ3lgqrkO
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 4, 2023
Others in the know claim that McCarthy’s opposition is not real personal — and that potential alternatives, such as Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) or Jim Jordan (R-OH), might be worse.
There are concerns, for example, that Scalise might be too soft on amnesty or that Jordan is too supportive of a Big Tech industry bent on crushing conservatives.
Perhaps that argument has merit, and McCarthy’s lack of ideological principles may be advantageous. McCarthy might be more convincing than anyone else that the only way to keep power in Washington is to appease the Freedom Caucus or GOP base.
I understand why people don’t trust McCarthy because he doesn’t believe in anything… but honestly, that’s a good thing not a bad one.
Ryan and Boehner couldn’t be bought by the right. They hated the majority of the base and it was impossible to move them. McCarthy has been moved https://t.co/TFu2WmPQ60
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) January 3, 2023
One individual who initially supported the California congressman was Florida’s Byron Donalds. Donalds, a rising Republican, explained his change via Twitter.
“The reality is Rep. Kevin McCarthy doesn’t have the votes,” He tweeted. “I committed my support to him publicly and for two votes on the House Floor. 218 is the number, and currently, no one is there. Our conference needs to recess and huddle and find someone or work out the next step but these continuous votes aren’t working for anyone.”
Three rounds of votes were lost Tuesday for McCarthy. Today, more votes are expected. Donalds wants the party to get back together at the table and discuss the matter rather than continue as usual.
Some have fretted that Republicans may be pushed out of the speaker’s office completely if this trend continues.
Yet the idea that a Democrat would wind up speaker is nonsensical — no Republican will vote for Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) unless they want to commit political suicide.
but these continuous votes aren’t working for anyone. After the dust settles we will have a Republican speaker. Now is the time to hold a conference and discuss the issues to reach a consensus.(2/3)
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) January 3, 2023
Donalds made this point clear by offering a rational take on the situation.
“When the dust settles, we will have a Republican Speaker, now is the time for our conference to debate and come to a consensus,” He added. “This will take time, Democracy is messy at times, but we will be ready to govern on behalf of the American people. Debate is healthy.”
This will take some time. Democracy is messy at times. However, we will be able to govern on behalf the American people. It is healthy to debate. (3/3)
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) January 3, 2023
This column is the point
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