In a nutshell, here’s what happened. In January, McCarthy made an agreement with hardline conservatives, some of whose terms have never been made public, to ultimately secure their support as Speaker. In May, McCarthy made a (public) agreement with Democrats to set the federal budget at a certain level in order to avert a default on the national debt. In September, though, McCarthy (under pressure from hardliners) attempted to secure further funding cuts during negotiations over a potential government shutdown—then ultimately conceded to Democrats and helped pass a funding bill that largely did not include any of the cuts that the hardliners sought (which were cuts that McCarthy had originally, in May, told Democrats he wouldn’t seek).
McCarthy has left both his party’s furthest-right members and the entire Democratic caucus with the belief that he cannot be trusted, which is why Democrats are expected to join Monday afternoon with hyper-aggressive Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and at least five other conservatives in supporting a “motion to vacate the chair” in the House, i.e end McCarthy’s speakership. (Republicans currently hold 221 House seats to Democrats’ 212.)
If that happens—and it’s a fluid situation—there’s no telling what will happen next. No other Republicans have actually said they want to be Speaker, which would put us roughly back where we were in January: With McCarthy holding enough support among Republicans that no one else is a plausible candidate to become Speaker, but not enough support to win a majority of the entire House, which is what’s required, and actually assume the position. (And yes, the House needs a Speaker.)
If that happens—and it’s a fluid situation—there’s no telling what will happen next.
That’s not strictly true. If there is no Speaker, then all the House can do is vote for one. So we know exactly what happens next. What we don’t know is who will end up with the job, or how long it will take to pick that person. It could be over on the first vote, or it could take days (even weeks).
If that happens—and it’s a fluid situation—there’s no telling what will happen next. No other Republicans have actually said they want to be Speaker, which would put us roughly back where we were in January
In a nutshell, here’s what happened. In January, McCarthy made an agreement with hardline conservatives, some of whose terms have never been made public, to ultimately secure their support as Speaker. In May, McCarthy made a (public) agreement with Democrats to set the federal budget at a certain level in order to avert a default on the national debt. In September, though, McCarthy (under pressure from hardliners) attempted to secure further funding cuts during negotiations over a potential government shutdown—then ultimately conceded to Democrats and helped pass a funding bill that largely did not include any of the cuts that the hardliners sought (which were cuts that McCarthy had originally, in May, told Democrats he wouldn’t seek).
McCarthy has left both his party’s furthest-right members and the entire Democratic caucus with the belief that he cannot be trusted, which is why Democrats are expected to join Monday afternoon with hyper-aggressive Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and at least five other conservatives in supporting a “motion to vacate the chair” in the House, i.e end McCarthy’s speakership. (Republicans currently hold 221 House seats to Democrats’ 212.)
If that happens—and it’s a fluid situation—there’s no telling what will happen next. No other Republicans have actually said they want to be Speaker, which would put us roughly back where we were in January: With McCarthy holding enough support among Republicans that no one else is a plausible candidate to become Speaker, but not enough support to win a majority of the entire House, which is what’s required, and actually assume the position. (And yes, the House needs a Speaker.)
That’s not strictly true. If there is no Speaker, then all the House can do is vote for one. So we know exactly what happens next. What we don’t know is who will end up with the job, or how long it will take to pick that person. It could be over on the first vote, or it could take days (even weeks).
That sounds like it’s gonna be an shitty time
Shitty time for the federal employees who are relying on these idiots to get their shit together and fund the govt another year, for sure.
If you’re in a position to not be directly affected by that, though, it’s time for popcorn 🍿
Let’s hope it’s not Marjorie Taylor Greene…
The Democrats have announced that they will vote against McCarthy.