One of the few tools far-right House Republicans have at their disposal to keep House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in their clutches is their ability to force a vote to oust him as speaker. It’s one of the many concessions he made to secure the gavel and why many speculate that McCarthy keeps returning to the hostage negotiation table with hardliners as they force a near-inevitable shutdown.
I mean, everything else McCarthy and his supporters have planned so far have worked out perfectly. What could happen?
Semi OT. I had wondered. No pay for troops with the current appropriations because they didn’t sign the Defense bill.
“A shutdown would be detrimental for the department,” she said. “Troops would go without pay. Military families would be impacted, of course. For folks that are not getting paychecks, that impacts how and when [they] can buy groceries, child care, all of these things. Commissaries would be closed on bases. So, we are still … we’re hoping that Congress can reach a deal to avert a shutdown. But we are planning for that or taking steps to plan for that, should a shutdown occur.”
I have long thought McCarthy gave in on the Motion to Vacate change because he thought it wouldn’t be used against him successfully. So far, he’s been right.
It’s certainly an option to try to call their bluff. The “burn-it-all down” caucus (though I prefer dead-enders) don’t have a viable alternative, so at the end of the day, most of the votes will go to McCarthy and Jeffries. But it would most likely end up back in the humiliating dead-lock where no one achieves a majority and multiple ballots will be required.
In which case, nothing will get done and the shutdown will still happen, just sans Speaker. So it comes down to what do the dead-enders actually want? If they want their own Speaker, that’s just not going to happen since they are an extreme minority. If they want the shutdown (which evidence suggests they think they do), then letting Team McC pull the trigger shouldn’t matter to them. But if they just want to stand on their soapboxes and inveigh against the “establishment,” then calling their bluff might actually call them to the carpet and neuter them.
I think he agreed because he had no choice. After 14 unsuccessful votes, he had no options besides acceding if he wanted to win the 15th one. Sure, ex post facto he can appear to have 3D chessed the situation, but I think it was pure desperation. Even if you don’t expect anyone to pull that trigger, it’s a terrible tool to even offer because of how disruptive it can be, just by existing.
"It’s tough to strut, grovel, and cower at the same time."
Not giving McCarthy any credit, but not one of them has the balls to take on the speakership.
One of them is stupid enough to do it. Just for the notoriety.
I suspect little Matt Gaetz, age 10, thinks he can take over. What a smarmy POS he is.
Wow, I agree with a hard-right Republican! Yes, let’s do it, and watch the few remaining politically smart GOPers back Hakeem Jeffries for speaker (if Hakeem will do it), just to move things off the dime.
No Republican – especially Gaetz – will try, and they wouldn’t be able to get the votes, anyway.
They’re the nihilist caucus. They want the federal government to shut down. They want Congress to be stalemated, unable to enact anything. They’ve run on the platform that government is evil and feckless, and they intend to make sure it is.
Repeated unsuccessful votes for a new speaker? Bring 'em on! May they never stop!
It may not be until November 2024 that we can hold these jokers accountable.
One of the few tools far-right House Republicans have at their disposal…
Few?!?
I thought that most of the House Republicans were “tools.”
I have been supporting this approach ever since Qevin McCarthy sent the Chaos Caucus home for two weeks not too long ago. As a “leader” McCarthy is an incompetent empty suit who cannot get anything done. Hakeem Jeffries has already proven himself to be an articulate and effective leader. I am convinced that enough Republican members are fed up with McCarthy and the Chaos Caucus that they will support Hakeem as a new Speaker. It is certainly worth a shot, especially given the prospect of a complete government shutdown unless the House changes direction.
When he was worried about being arrested for sex trafficking he wasn’t as mouthy. Why did they let him go?
Sensible Republicans, if any, should unite with Democrats to make Nancy Pelosi Speaker again. Let her be responsible for assembling a coalition of Democrats and sensible Republicans to pass some reasonable approximation of the Senate bill, to end this shit. Then when that’s over, let the rightist fucefacks file their vacate motion.
It’s an oxymoron. If they were sensible they wouldn’t be Republicans.
Balls or votes.
If this is what republicans have to do to keep these asshats in line, then shame on Democrats for not being able to destroy them in 2024. These are not people to be taken seriously and yet, we continue to behave as if this infantile behavior is somehow normal. We should be laying waste to the entire Republican party but we’re too feckless and stupid to do it.
And do remember, the liberal, pot smoking liberals are anti military!
