As Republicans consider alternative options to reopen the House while continuing their search for a permanent speaker, the party may need to rely on their colleagues from across the aisle — but it’s not yet clear whether Democrats are willing to extend their support just yet.
Speaker Designate Jim Jordan (R-OH) announced on Thursday he would forgo a third round of voting on his speakership bid for now, instead backing a proposal to expand the powers of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) until House Republicans can come to a consensus on a nominee. Several GOP lawmakers have already come out in opposition to such a move, meaning the resolution would likely rely on some Democratic support in order to push it across the finish line.
JIM JORDAN WON'T HOLD THIRD BALLOT, WILL BACK TEMPORARY POWERS FOR MCHENRY
“There currently is enough Republican ‘no’ votes that it can't pass unless Democrats save it,” said Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN). “We've got to get back to voting for speaker. That's what we're here for. That's what we need to be doing. If Jim gets the votes, great. If Jim can’t get the votes, then we need to vote on somebody else.”
Other Republicans have come out against empowering the interim speaker position, arguing such a move would effectively dismantle their majority by handing power over to the Democrats.
“Republican voters gave us the majority. And the whole reason why we're in this mess is because we had Republicans working with Democrats,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), referring to the eight Republicans who voted with all Democrats to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). “So we shouldn’t go into a situation where we’re going to work with Democrats and enter some sort of power-sharing agreement.”
House Republicans emerged from a closed-door meeting on Thursday with scant details on what the legislation empowering McHenry would look like. At least two GOP lawmakers have floated their own resolutions that would expand the interim speaker’s powers, although it remains unclear how broad the resolution would be or how long it would last.
However, with so many rank-and-file Republicans already coming out in opposition to the proposal, the resolution would likely need Democrats in order to be adopted — and it’s not yet clear whether the other party is ready to throw the GOP a line.
“I think we’re very concerned about what … an extended temporary speaker would mean in terms of managing the House,” said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA).
Democrats have repeatedly called on their GOP colleagues to enter into bipartisan talks to advance some sort of unity candidate in order to reopen the House, including an effort to expand McHenry’s power to make progress on must-pass legislation. However, many said they would need to see the text of any resolution before deciding to support it.
“We have to see the details, obviously. I want to hear from [Democratic] leadership after they've heard from the Republican caucus,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). “But listen, it's time to reopen the house that the Republicans closed. It's a national security issue now dealing with the situation in Israel.”
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It’s not yet clear when the House plans to reconvene for votes or whether such a resolution will even be brought to the floor due to growing opposition within the GOP. Some members left the conference meeting on Thursday predicting the resolution wouldn’t see the light of day.
“Just reading the room, I think it’s dead,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL).