Just when you thought it might be safe to go back into the House and get some legislation done with Patrick McHenry leading an ad hoc coalition government, opposition to that begins to fly through the air like a pack of deranged bats. The GOP is hell bent on proving itself even loonier than you thought it was. The state of play earlier this morning was that Jim Jordan suspended his campaign for House Speaker in lieu of a resolution to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry to stay in the role, with expanded powers, until January 3. On that date Jordan fantasizes something will change in his favor.
McHenry was considered a good compromise measure and it was felt that Hakeem Jeffries and Democrats could work with him. Maybe that’s the problem. In any event, now there’s an anti-McHenry movement afoot. The Hill:
Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, warned offices on Capitol Hill against empowering Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-N.C).
Heritage is considering making the resolution to expand McHenry’s powers a “key vote” that will apply to the organization’s legislative scorecard for members.
“Cutting a deal with Democrats on control of the Floor activities concedes a conservative agenda that Americans elected a Republican majority to advance,” Heritage wrote, according to a copy of an email obtained by The Hill.
And then none other than Lauren Boebert has come forth, righteously indignant with this situation.
You ran because Ted Cruz thought you would be an excellent bomb thrower in Qongress. I just spent 3 days in Western Colorado. It's sad you represent such beauty but are only serving trump. pic.twitter.com/OK02zDJtnm
— Ron Dorland 🇺🇸 (@DorlandRon) October 19, 2023
Not sure what she sees as a “betrayal” of the “base.” A betrayal of the entire party is to have a GOP majority and it’s not being able to govern at all — not that that would be anything new. You may recall how in March of 2017 Paul Ryan’s health care proposal fell flat on its butt and he was not only House Speaker, the Republicans were in charge of the Senate as well and Trump was in the White House. If you can’t get a bill through Congress and signed on those facts, you are flat out inept — which was indeed the case.
Bobo is not the only one who jumped on the anti-McHenry wagon. It got filled up plenty fast.
“This resolution is really dangerous. We need to have a NORMAL election for speaker. @Jim_Jordan , I respect you but it is a massive mistake to back this,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. […]
“Oh, hell no. Hades no,” Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) told reporters.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) said Republicans “shouldn’t be setting this precedent,” and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said he was “absolutely” going to vote against it.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) wrote on X that he would “never vote to empower Speaker Pro Tem McHenry.”
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz,) also said he would vote against a resolution, telling reporters that he was “not a fan” of the suggested move. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) said on X that it would set a “dangerous precedent,” adding that he would oppose any resolution enact a temporary Speaker.
They all seem hell bent on getting voted out in November. Meanwhile, Kevin McCarthy was heard “screaming” at Matt Gaetz behind closed doors and that comes as no shock.
McCarthy advocated for empowering McHenry while Jordan staying on as speaker designee, per two sources.
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) October 19, 2023
“Speaker designee?” Oh, this is getting farcical. Jordan does indeed believe he’s going to pull some miracle in the last few months of 2023. Good phuquing luck with that.
Give it a few hours. This will all go through the spin dry machine and come out aa another pernicious Democratic plot. Just watch. I don’t know how they’re going to blame our Reps, but blame them they will. On that you may depend.
I agree with the blame thing. They are getting more inventive by the day. Seems to be the ONLY thing they can do, and it’s not working too well either.
Thing is the govt shutdown is still a shutdown, but they’re (MSM) calling it something else. The clowns have a govt shutdown without anyone who should be a responsible chronicler calling it what it is: a Republican govt shutdown.
Oh Bobo. You truly missed your calling as a circus clown. Actually, all of the g.o.p. crew could get jobs in that circus. What a clown car of rectums.
Real clowns actually are talented people. Bobblehead might rise to the level of the sweeper up after the clowns leave
Phuck em six ways to Sunday and twice on Monday. I wouldn’t lift a finger to save these arseholes. Just scream the truth over and over and over!!!!
A couple of thoughts here:
First, if the Heritage Foundation’s going to start trying to get so involved in electing members of Congress (especially in such an extortive manner), then maybe the “Foundation’s” leaders need to start running for Congress themselves. I certainly don’t recall the group’s “Action” arm getting all bent out of shape when Gaetz insisted on getting his little “remove the Speaker in a fit of pique by a single member” clause (nor do I recall hearing any outrage when it actually happened).
Second, weren’t there a number of “never-Jordan” GOPers who ended up voting FOR Jordan as Speaker? So many of these GOPers seem to be more blowhard than truly principled. Especially the likes of Banks and Perry (quoted at the end of the article) who are so apparently outraged at the idea that this might set a “precedent.” Like McCarthy’s being removed because ONE MEMBER managed to pull a “no confidence” vote and removed him did NOT set a “precedent?” I seem to recall the idea of the “motion to vacate” was “unprecedented” but no one in the GOP caucus refused to vote for McCarthy when he let that be included as a condition to get supporting (or “present”) votes back in January. Hell, what we’re going through right now with no Speaker is “unprecedented” but at least two yahoos don’t seem to have a problem with THAT.