Rep. Kevin McCarthy overcame difficulty after teetering on the verge of loss as his Republican opponents gave him unexpected support during the twelfth and thirteenth votes for Speaker, reigniting confidence that he could assume control of Congress’s top office.
The Conservatives’ proposal to gradually wrest leadership away from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and provide more power to committees and individual members gained steam on the 13th round of voting thanks to a timely move by Maryland Rep. Andy Harris. In addition to greater expenditure guarantees and special committee assignments, this agreement between McCarthy’s allies and adversaries also stipulated that motions for leadership changes only needed one vote, which was a first in the annals of US Congress.
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“I can’t get into details about what the agreement contains, but if I were to characterize it in general, it is that it contains provisions both related to, you know we’ve been working on rules a long time, and we’ve done some more there. It has to do with personnel, how members of the conference will be appropriately distributed to key committees. It is about policy imperatives. There are critical issues that we must address,” North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop told reporters.
Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Patrick McHenry of North Carolina participated in contentious discussions on a House rules package Thursday night and into Friday morning. The outcome? A deal that would establish term limits through a constitutional amendment, need just one vote for the motion to remove the chair, and devise strategies for balancing the federal budget of the United States within ten years!
“It involves some leaps of good faith to see to it that it is implemented,” Bishop acknowledged.
It’s “about how to make this place work for the American people, and so that’s what you’ve seen happen here today. That’s what we’re continuing to work toward. I think we’ll be able to get there,” incoming Oklahoma Rep. Josh Brecheen added.
After repeated ties and votes, Maryland Representative Andy Harris broke the tie by supporting McCarthy for House Minority Leader. This decision might potentially position Harris to become chair of the Health and Human Services subcommittee on Appropriations.
The House will still require 218 votes to enact the rules package establishing the accord, even if McCarthy is elected speaker. McCarthy doubters might leave the party if the proposal is rejected.
“If the framework blows up, I’m out,” Perry said.
