GOP's Back-Up Plan To Appoint Temporary Speaker Falls Apart

Topline

An effort to appoint a temporary House speaker fell apart Thursday as multiple Republicans voiced opposition to the back-up plan that had appeared to gain steam after multiple failed attempts to elect a speaker—leaving Republicans’ next steps unclear as the House approaches three weeks without a speaker.

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) talks briefly with reporters after an hours-long House Republican … [+] members meeting at the U.S. Capitol October 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

A resolution sponsored by Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) that would have allowed Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to bring legislation to the floor for a vote is not expected to move forward in the House, at least for now, as multiple members expressed opposition to the proposal Thursday.

The effort—which has been in discussion since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from the speakership on October 3—gained steam for a few hours Thursday when Republicans called off a third round of voting for House speaker after it became clear their nominee, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), did not have the support to win the election.

McHenry became speaker pro tempore automatically when McCarthy was removed, per a House rule that required McCarthy to select a secret list of successors in the event of a vacancy.

The powers of the speaker pro tempore laid out in the House rules are vague, however, and McHenry has interpreted his authority as limited to overseeing the election for the next speaker, meaning that the House can not vote on any legislation without a speaker to bring it to the floor.

Joyce was expected to introduce a resolution to expand McHenry’s powers, but the effort was delayed, perhaps permanently, when a coalition of Republicans, including Reps. Steve Scalise (La.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), voiced opposition to the plan, citing concerns ranging from a violation of the constitution and the unprecedented nature of the move to fears that some GOP members could team with Democrats to pass it and offer concessions in return for their votes.

Jordan, who lost more votes on Wednesday’s second ballot and was expected to shed additional support in a third round, was expected to back the plan to empower McHenry, but reversed course later Thursday when members declared the back-up proposal dead, telling reporters he was still running for speaker and would press for a third round of voting.

Tangent

An hours-long House GOP meeting Thursday devolved into a screaming match, according to some attendees—including a verbal altercation between Gaetz and McCarthy—as Republicans have failed to coalesce behind a replacement candidate. McCarthy said he told Gaetz, who led the effort to remove him, to “sit down” when he approached the microphone as McCarthy was speaking Thursday, adding “the entire conference screamed at [Gaetz].” Gaetz also acknowledged the blow-up, telling reporters, “I think his passions are a little inflamed” and “[McCarthy’s] working through the stages of grief.”

Surprising Fact

McHenry—a McCarthy ally known as a behind-the-scenes negotiator who is well-respected by members of both parties—has not spoken publicly about the effort to extend his powers, but has said he has no aspirations to become speaker. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who declared the proposal “dead” on Thursday, told reporters McHenry himself is opposed to it.

Contra

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed doubts about the practicality of extending McHenry’s powers, raising questions about the length of time McHenry could remain in power, the legislative scope of his duties and whether he could be subject to the motion to vacate rule that led to McCarthy’s removal, she told CNN.

What To Watch For

Some Republicans, including Lesko and Rep. Troy Nehls (Texas), who voted for Jordan in the first two rounds, along with Reps. Don Bacon (Neb.) and Carlos Gimenez (Fla.), who voted against him, have called on Jordan to drop out of the race. Jordan told reporters after Thursday’s meeting he would continue his bid and planned to meet with his 22 holdouts.

GOP’s Back-Up Plan To Appoint Temporary Speaker Falls Apart