GOP must make a deal with Democrats if they fail to elect a House Speaker, says top Republican.

A Deal with Democrats May Be Necessary ⁢to Elect a House Speaker, Says ​Top House Republican

A top House‌ Republican⁣ has stated​ that if the GOP fails to elect a House speaker soon, ‌they may have ‍to​ make ⁢a deal with Democrats in the lower chamber. This comes after the Democrats’ minority leader made⁢ a similar claim.

During an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) ‌was asked ‌about the possibility of Republicans working with Democrats to ‌elect a speaker, following the ‍ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) two weeks ago. ⁢Mr. Turner, who heads the⁤ powerful Intelligence Committee, expressed his preference for electing a Republican and voiced his support for Rep.‌ Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) bid.

“I think Jim Jordan will ‌be an​ excellent Speaker. I think he’ll be able to get to 217. If not,⁤ we have other leaders in the House. And‍ certainly, if there is a need if the radical,‍ you know, almost just handful of people in the Republican side, make it‌ unable … to be ‍able to return to general work on the House, then‌ I think obviously, there will ‍be a deal⁣ [that] will have to be done,” ⁤Mr. Turner said.

Related Stories

McCarthy Confident Jim Jordan Will Be New House Speaker

10/16/2023

Illinois Man, 71, Stabs Housing Tenant, 6-Year-Old Palestinian Boy to Death, Mother Injured

10/16/2023

Reports suggest that‍ Rep. Jordan, who chairs the Judiciary⁣ Committee, is seeking a floor ‌vote on Tuesday. Last week,‌ House ‍Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) withdrew his bid for the speaker’s gavel⁢ after being nominated over⁢ Mr. Jordan.

However, there are doubts about ‌whether Rep. Jordan can secure the ⁤necessary 217 votes.

With a slim 221–212 majority, Republicans can only afford to lose a maximum of four votes if Democrats vote against him‍ as a bloc, which is expected.

Over the weekend, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) revealed that there have been‌ talks behind⁢ the scenes between Republicans​ and Democrats to elect a⁣ speaker, including the possibility of a bipartisan governing coalition.

“We‍ have made clear ⁣publicly and privately that we ⁣are ready, willing, and able to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition,” stated Mr. Jeffries during an⁢ interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday. “We can change the rules to facilitate bipartisanship, and that should ⁣be the‍ starting point ⁤of our conversation,” he added.

“We want to ensure that votes are taken on bills that have substantial Democratic ‍support and ​substantial Republican support so that⁤ the extremists aren’t able to dictate the ⁢agenda,” Mr. Jeffries ‍emphasized, ⁢criticizing the ​current House rules that allow a few Republicans⁣ to determine‍ what gets voted on.

However, some House Republicans believe‌ that Rep. Jordan can secure the necessary 217‌ votes.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Tenn.), who publicly supports Rep. Jordan’s bid, stated that in the first and second⁣ rounds of voting, multiple GOP lawmakers may vote for someone⁣ other ​than Mr. Jordan. However, this is likely ⁣to change in subsequent rounds.

“I⁢ think in the ⁢first round, ⁣you ⁤may have some people who have to ‌get it off their chest. They⁤ feel obligated to vote ⁤for [former Speaker] Kevin McCarthy at ⁢least once or [Majority Leader] Steve Scalise at ‌least once or Donald Trump,”⁤ he told The Washington Times. “Then⁣ they’ll converge toward Jordan. I think it’ll be​ a lot⁢ to jump on after the first or ⁣second round.”

Meanwhile, Rep. McCarthy expressed confidence in Mr. Jordan’s ability to ‍secure enough votes.

“The real challenge here is,‍ and​ I⁣ know a lot of people out there are afraid that ⁢Republicans will break off and go​ work with ⁣Democrats, the only reason anybody’s even⁢ talking about that is because⁤ eight Republican members worked with every single Democrat ⁤to ⁣remove ​me from speaker and put ‌us‌ into this tailspin and all based upon keeping government open,” he​ told Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.”

Mr. McCarthy criticized the several Republicans who voted to oust him, arguing that they made a political decision that disrupted America. He emphasized the need for calm leadership and unity to put the country back on track.

Meeting at ‍the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 15, 2023.⁣ (Erin⁢ Schaff/The New ‍York Times)Read More From Original Article Here: Top Republican: ‘Deal Will Have to Be Done’ With Democrats If GOP Can’t Elect House Speaker