Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) told TPM Thursday that a sizable chunk of the House Democratic caucus plans to demand power-sharing concessions from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) if he ultimately needs their votes to save his speakership or keep the government open.
It’s a good idea for Dems to contain McCarthy in any way possible.
I’d also make it implicit that Congress end the ridiculous hearings on Biden. Just spitballing here, but I think they can ask for a lot more in a power sharing deal and still sound more reasonable than the absurdly-named “Freedom Caucus.”
I’m all for the public humiliation that Qevin is going through right now. Dems should let him stay as Speaker (because he’s incredibly weak), but the impeachment inquisition has to stop. And obviously any deal would have to be in writing (and publicly signed), to prevent Qevin from trying to wriggle out of it.
“Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) told TPM Thursday that a sizable chunk of the House Democratic caucus plans to demand power-sharing concessions from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) if he ultimately needs their votes to save his speakership…”
That would be fantastic, but I simply cannot hear these words as anything but complete fantasy.
Is there any planet on which Kevin McCarthy actually throws in his lot with Democrats?
(None that I can imagine.)
As long as he passes John Bell, I don’t care.
It seems smart for Jayapal to release some details here and now–increases the pressure on McCarthy. “Dems have a plan to save everybody; McCarthy just has to ask.”
Immediate thoughts
The most practical form of a power-sharing deal would be co-committee chairs -neutering the ability of Comer, Jordan, et al, to issue subpoenas
Jayapal leads the left-most wing of the dem caucus. She can issue this maximal demand and leave room for Jefferies to settle for a smaller deal (but a better one than if her ask wasn’t out there)
Putting Qevin on notice that not everyone has the memory of a goldfish and broken deals mean something is important. Again, good on Jayapal for being the one to throw the elbow, sets up the “problem solvers” to be good cop
He won’t.
Dream on. Q can’t stop lying…
And . . . the public castration of Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker continues . . .
Jeez, Kev: was it worth it?
Oh, such a deal couldn’t happen to a nicer guy; both the Progressive Caucus and extreme crazy MAGA Rethuglians owning Kevin’s balls!
That said, the Progressive Caucus has a point, how else could you trust Kevin?
Probably not, but I love the way she stirs the pot.
Sowing the seeds of distrust (snicker)
Short of a Democratic majority there does not appear to be any other way and even a rules change wouldn’t guarantee it given Repug lawlessness.
It’s the obvious answer to his dilemma. It would avoid a shut down, save his gavel, and neuter the Freedom Caucus. Will he do it? He really, really loves that gavel and he’s basically powerless as it is so power sharing with Dems would at least keep it in his hands. I’ll grant you the odds aren’t good, but I don’t think they’re zero.
The GOP has shown itself to be utterly untrustworthy - They made a deal with Biden and the opposing party in May and have now reneged. Any agreement MUST BE writing though that may not be enough - see the spending agreement they are blowing up. Jayapal is absolutely correct that any power sharing agreement must be writing. (like she was that they could not un-tether the voting reform bill from the infrastructure bill if they wanted both to pass). McCarthy could save his speakership and shut up the Freedumb Caucus at the same time but he has neither the brains nor the cojones to do it.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal is one smart cookie.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) told TPM Thursday that a sizable chunk of the House Democratic caucus plans to demand power-sharing concessions
Well that idea will be dead-on-arrival.
Actually, the hearings so far have been a clinic on the corrupt and mendacious nature of the GOP. I couldn’t believe they were showing it on Fox. It’s really the GOP arguing why the GOP shouldn’t get your vote. I vote keep them on!
