Congressman Tim Huelskamp, at a conservative panel Wednesday, emphasized House Republicans still have time to choose a new speaker to replace John Boehner, who will resign at the end of the month.
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The uncertain future of House GOP leadership comes less than a month before Congress must take action to raise the debt ceiling to keep the USA from defaulting on its debt obligations – a critical vote conservatives have in the past sought to stall in order to pull concessions from Democrats. Hse GOP Conf meets for “conclave” to formally nominate a Spkr at noon et Thurs.
“Plus he listens very carefully”, Brady said, “and as a result our conference will continue to have more power over the agenda, which is what we all want”.
The House Freedom Caucus entered a closed-door meeting before 1 p.m., Rep. Mick Mulvaney said on CNN, saying the group will review a few possible candidates.
Here’s the situation: McCarthy will nearly certainly receive a majority of Republican votes to become the caucus’ nominee for speaker on Thursday.
“Disbelief, from the surprise announcement by Boehner to the quick nature of this election to it now being postponed – it’s uncertainty on top of uncertainty”, said freshman Rep. Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania.
The other two announced Republican candidates for speaker – Reps.
“While I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received, I will not be a candidate”.
Thursday’s secret ballot – even if it had proceeded as expected – still would have been merely an early skirmish in the chaotic battle to lead the House.
Their endorsement is unlikely to block McCarthy from earning the party’s nomination – but if they hold together – it is be enough votes to deny him the gavel when the full House votes on October 29. McCarthy has reason to be concerned, therefore, after making the unfortunate link between the Benghazi Select Committee and Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers.
And Chaffetz isn’t giving up.
“Clearly they… did not like that I said I would support the nominee”, Chaffetz told reporters about the Freedom Caucus response. McCarthy is broadly opposed by conservative Republicans, and Chaffetz said the prospect of him supporting McCarthy seems to have been a turnoff for more conservative members.
Asked if that affected his decision, McCarthy acknowledged: “Well, that wasn’t helpful”. He then officially announced his candidacy for speaker during a “Fox News Sunday” interview days later. Livingston was the heavy favorite, but had been dogged by allegations – promoted by Hustler Publisher Larry Flynt – that he had been unfaithful to his wife.
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With Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas too radioactive as the architect of Clinton’s impeachment, Republicans turned to Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., who was DeLay’s chief deputy. After serving as speaker of the Florida House, he moved to the Florida Senate where he became majority leader. Hastert himself is now under indictment for financial improprieties related to alleged past misconduct.
