Former House Speakers Newt Gingrich and John Boehner say House Republicans should give Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry more power if the conference cannot unite to elect a new speaker.
In a blog post on his website Tuesday, Mr. Gingrich made the case that if House Republicans “cannot resolve the speakership in the next few days,” they would be better off giving Mr. McHenry, who became speaker pro tempore after Rep. Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, was ousted from the position last month, enough power for “at least the end of the year.”
“America does not have the luxury to stand by and allow a handful of destructive Republicans — or even the legitimate ambitions of good people — to keep the system from working,” wrote Mr. Gingrich, who represented Georgia as a Republican when he was speaker in the 1990s.
Right now, Mr. McHenry, North Carolina Republican, does not have the power that an elected speaker would have, causing all legislation — including any upcoming funding bills — to come to a screeching halt. Included in that stoppage is a $100 billion aid package from President Biden for Ukraine and Israel.
Twice now House Republicans have shot down electing Rep. Jim Jordan to the speakership. In votes Tuesday and Wednesday, the Ohio Republican was unable to gather the 217 votes he needed to win, with more than 15 Republicans backing someone else each time.
“Speaker Pro Tempore McHenry is a lot better solution than gridlock and chaos,” Mr. Gingrich wrote. “He should be empowered this week, and let’s get on with the people’s business.”
“I agree,” wrote Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican, on X as a reply to a post that called attention to Mr. Gingrich’s blog post.
Both former speakers know all too well what Mr. McCarthy went through, except they survived the motions to vacate brought against them. They both wound up resigning from their positions soon after.
“If a permanent solution is not available in the next few days, a temporary solution to January, 1, 2024, may be the answer,” Mr. Gingrich wrote. “Let people calm down. Tempers can relax. A lot more thought and conversation can work toward a long-term solution. (Meanwhile, the loudmouthed chaos agents will immediately become less important.)”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.