A founder of the House’s “shutdown caucus” dishes on what it’s going to take for McCarthy to keep his far-right flank in line
In the Obama years, people called you the “shutdown caucus.” There was a lot of brinksmanship — with the full-faith-and-credit of the United States on the line.
It just replaces the system of you-scratch-my-back, I’ll-scratch-yours. And we’ll do it behind closed doors. And then we’ll throw an omnibus bill on your desk three hours before we have to vote, nobody has a chance to read it, because it’s way too voluminous. Right? That crap has got to go. It did not. No. They haven’t done regular order since the ‘90s.
Andy? He’s a great guy. What they’re trying to do, more than anything, is to get commitments and concessions out of McCarthy. Because in the past, the Freedom Caucus has been discounted and put on the sidelines. As a result of some of this [maneuvering], you’ll probably see Jim Jordan become the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. You’ll probably see Freedom Caucus members on far more A-level committees, and more positions of influence.
To clarify that difference for our readers, one can win a House leadership post with a bare majority of the Republican members. But becoming Speaker requires a party-line vote to reach a majority of Congress, usually 218 votes. Just a handful of defections could block McCarthy’s bid for the gavel. He’s never actually been in that situation. Right? Because he’s never been the top leader. He’s been the top minority leader. But that’s a lot different. When you have to be the Speaker of the House, there’s no way to predict how it’s going to be until it starts to play out. He has an incredibly good cast of characters. I have nothing but respect for [Whip] Steve Scalise. The folks in the Freedom Caucus feel a particularly particular affinity with him — and[now the third-ranking Republican].
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New caucus in CA State Assembly hopes to bring more protection to rentersA group of California lawmakers has formed a new caucus to advocate for renters. About 44% of California residents are renting, but the caucus says they need more protections from abuse and rising costs.
Read more »
McCarthy Warns Jan. 6 Committee Republicans Will Investigate Its WorkWASHINGTON — Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican who is attempting to become the next House speaker, on Wednesday warned the special committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol that members of his party planned to launch an inquiry of their own into the panel’s work next year when Republicans assume control of the chamber. In a letter sent to the committee’s chair, McCarthy instructed the panel to preserve its records — an action already required under House rules
Read more »
McCarthy struggles to get GOP’s unruly kids in line for speaker voteKevin McCarthy is in peak angry parent mode, pleading with his right-wing caucus to straighten up and name him House speaker or risk the consequences.
Read more »
PolitiFact - Fact-checking Kevin McCarthy on what Donald Trump said about Nick FuentesIn a Q&A with reporters outside the White House, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy got it wrong when he said former President Donald Trump had condemned white nationalist Nick Fuentes four times.
Read more »
McCarthy says Republicans will investigate Jan. 6 committee’s workHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) says Republicans will probe the work of the House select committee that has been investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, after the GOP takes control of the chamber next year.
Read more »
Rep. Steven Horsford elected to serve as next Congressional Black Caucus chairmanRep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) was elected to serve as the next chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus on Wednesday, with the Nevada Democrat slated to succeed current CBC Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH) in leading the influential group in the next Congress.
Read more »