Here’s What McCarthy’s House Can Actually Get Done Before 2024

Republican hopes for a “red wave” The 2022 midterm elections that would have brought the party to power in both the Houses of Congress were not successful. The party lost a seat to the Senate, leaving the current division at 51-49 in favour of the Democrats. Although the GOP was successful retaking the House of Representatives it holds only a narrow 10-seat majority.

Despite having a Democrat-held Senate with Joe Biden as President, and divisions within his party, it may seem like House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has little to no hope of achieving anything before the next election cycle. But there are many things House Republicans could accomplish before they win the Senate or presidency in 2024.

Given the current state of partisanship and McCarthy’s reported dislike of the current president, bipartisan action that favors the GOP is unlikely, except with a few moderate Democrat lawmakers. Therefore, obstruction, investigations, and utilization of the House’s power of the purse will be the primary tools at McCarthy’s disposal.

The House GOP’s strategy of good old-fashioned obstruction until 2024 is simple and effective. Republicans can block legislation passed by the Senate’s slim Democrat majority. On any legislation that originated in the upper chamber, the Republicans should be able at least to reach favorable compromises with Senate Democrats.

Perhaps the most significant power reserved for the House, is the so-called “power of the purse.” The House initiates all revenue bill, giving Republicans the ability to define the terms and gain the upper hand in any spending bill that is passed until 2024. To rein in spending, the GOP will need to be particularly careful about how the House Appropriations Committee spends federal money.

The chamber’s Republicans used that power to rescind The IRS received almost $70 million in additional funding in January. While it will not be approved by the Senate, it gives the party an opportunity to renegotiate the funding increase for an agency which has previously targeted Republicans.

An early January House rules package reinstated a rule that could give even more power to Republicans — the Holman Rule. The rule was originally introduced in 1876 and is still being used sparingly. Representatives can amend the rule to reduce federal employees’ salaries or cut funding to federal agencies programs.

Although the Senate may still block amendments that invoke the rule, they could be helped to keep certain federal agencies under check by more moderate senators like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Silema (I-AZ).

McCarthy could win concessions from Democrats by bringing up the debt ceiling debate.

The federal government has until June 5, to increase the debt ceiling. This is the maximum amount the government can borrow to cover its expenses. Otherwise, it could face default which could cause havoc in the economy.

McCarthy met last week with President Joe Biden to discuss solutions for the debt ceiling. However, McCarthy reported that there was no agreement. McCarthy promised to aim for an 8% overall reduction — bringing it down to 2022 levels — during his campaign for speaker, and he could manage to get some cuts in order to avoid the default.

“Debt limit debates have been used for nearly every successful attempt to reform federal spending in living history. Why? Because the problem only gets solved when both parties come to the table,” The House speaker spoke in a Monday address.

The House Republicans refused to compromise on spending cuts during 2011’s debt ceiling crisis. Only a last-minute deal Prevent They could face a default but they might be able to get substantial concessions from an administration which has managed a slow economy its entire tenure and doesn’t want to risk an economic collapse before the 2024 presidential election season.

If Republicans are able not to give in to the pressure of the media and the public, they can most likely win at least some spending concessions by Democrats who want to avoid default.

House Republicans can initiate investigations and create subcommittees that will deal with specific issues. They will be able to launch investigations in January. Created The Select Subcommittee on the Federal Government Weaponization. This subcommittee investigates alleged collusion between federal agencies (including the FBI and military) and private entities in order to suppress conservative views.

They also created the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition among the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. This will focus on economic and security issues between the U.S.A. and China.

Just as the Russian collusion hoax and the January 6 riot became focal point issues in the House during Democrats’ time in power, Republicans have the opportunity to