U.S. Representative Blake Moore (R-UT) and fellow House Republicans depart after a conference meeting where they held a secret ballot vote on whether to drop Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) out of the race for House Speaker at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Over a span of 17 days, since the Republicans undertook a dramatic shakeup of their own leadership within the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives, their predicament has taken a darker turn. Not only have they failed to anoint new leaders, but they have also sunk deeper into a morass of division and dysfunction.
The sentiment of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, who pronounced, “We are in a very bad place,” on a fateful Friday, encapsulates the gravity of the situation. The political vacuum that persists has left the House of Representatives incapacitated and impotent for three long weeks, with no discernible path to a resolution.
A particularly telling symbol of the party’s internal discord is the unfortunate fate of Republican Jim Jordan, representing Ohio. After three grueling days of relentless efforts to coerce his way into the coveted Speaker position, Jordan found himself cast aside by members of his own party. This dramatic turn of events leaves a yawning leadership void that remains unfilled.
In this disarray, the pressing question that looms large is, “So now what?”
As the Republicans hold the reins in the House, albeit with a tenuous majority, they departed Washington, D.C. on a pivotal Friday afternoon following Jordan’s private vote, which ultimately saw him stripped of his position as their nominee for Speaker. The vote tally stood at 112 against Jordan and 86 in his favor, falling short of the majority required to retain the party’s internal endorsement. To ascend to the role of Speaker, a nominee must secure the majority vote of the entire House.
In the immediate aftermath of this pivotal vote, other Republicans wasted no time in throwing their hats into the ring. Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma was among the first to declare his candidacy, followed swiftly by Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia. Soon after, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the third-ranking Republican in the House, announced his intention to join the fray.
Several other Republican contenders signaled their potential candidacy, setting the stage for a candidate forum expected to take place on Monday. One lingering question centers on whether Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican who was recently displaced, might be summoned once more to assume the role.
However, the Republican Party cannot afford to drag its feet indefinitely. The specter of a government shutdown looms ominously, with mid-November as the precipice, should Congress fail to pass a funding bill. The party’s disarray in the House means that control over the nature of the funding bill now rests predominantly with the Democratic-controlled Senate.
A notable group of eight Republicans had previously pushed McCarthy aside due to his inability to navigate a funding bill through the House using solely Republican votes. Discord within the party prevented consensus on the bill’s specifics, compelling McCarthy to collaborate with Democrats to pass funding legislation and avert a government shutdown.
To compound matters, President Biden is poised to present a request for $100 billion in emergency aid to Israel and Ukraine in the coming week. The Senate will wield significant influence over the composition of this package, owing to the tumultuous proceedings in the House.
The looming question that remains unanswered is whether the Republicans can muster the wherewithal to reestablish cohesion and function effectively. At this juncture, nobody can definitively foretell the path ahead. If a consensus candidate fails to emerge, the party may find itself back at square one, a disconcerting cycle that seems to persist.
In the interim, Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, assumes the role of the speaker pro tempore. While presiding over the chamber, his powers remain constrained. Conversations regarding his potential appointment as a temporary or acting speaker have been set aside temporarily as Republicans embark on another round of soliciting candidates.
Much like the option of reinstating McCarthy, the prospect of McHenry stepping into the breach could reemerge if the GOP finds itself mired in yet another inextricable impasse. The future remains uncertain, and the labyrinthine halls of American politics continue to confound and captivate observers.
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