Refusing to drop out, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan is telling GOP colleagues he will back a temporary speaker as he works to shore up support to win the gavel himself.
I think they can do this. The key thing will be that the entire House votes on it, because without that vote, all this guy can do is call a vote for the next Speaker (or recess the House).
They couldn’t have done this at the start of the term, though, because at that point nobody has been sworn in yet, committees haven’t formed, and the House session has no structure, so no business could take place at all. This is a bit different, because all that stuff has happened.
Ultimately, the House gets to organize itself, and if a majority in the House votes to allow a temporary Speaker, then we get a temporary Speaker.
Constitutionally it might not be allowed
I think they can do this. The key thing will be that the entire House votes on it, because without that vote, all this guy can do is call a vote for the next Speaker (or recess the House).
They couldn’t have done this at the start of the term, though, because at that point nobody has been sworn in yet, committees haven’t formed, and the House session has no structure, so no business could take place at all. This is a bit different, because all that stuff has happened.
Ultimately, the House gets to organize itself, and if a majority in the House votes to allow a temporary Speaker, then we get a temporary Speaker.
The only constitutional requirement is that the Speaker must be chosen by the House.
Correct, they have to vote him in.
Yes, and Democrats have signalled that they will vote to support McHenry.
How does one “Temporarily” vote on something? Outside of elections of course?
Can I temporarily vote for \ next election, and if I don’t like his policies take back my vote?
If the answer is no… then… well. It sounds a lot like Jim is dropping out.
He will never be Speaker (at least in this Congress as it is currently constituted), he is just not willing to admit it yet.
They are voting to give McHenry more power until January. After which they will be back where they started.
“What’s a constitution?” -today’s GQP.
Edit: I came so close to typing Ralph “Hard Right” Wiggam, but sweet innocent Ralph would never in a zillion years be a part of that group.