There is still not a Speaker of the House. That is not a good look for America, especially at this time, and it is a reflection on both Republicans and Democrats, although to be fair, the situation is far more of a Republican problem. Democrats are simply not willing to help be part of the solution. If the roles were reversed, I doubt anything would be different.
Last night, I heard Bill Maher make a joke that pretty much encapsulates the entire situation much better than I could. There are enough crazy House Republicans to prevent a sane Republican from being Speaker and there are enough sane House Republicans to prevent a crazy Republican from becoming for Speaker. I am grateful for the latter. Maher referred to this matter as ironically being a “Mexican standoff.”
This past week, it was Jim Jordan of Ohio who failed to become Speaker and is now knocked out of contention. This came after three losses on the House floor, with more GOP defections each time. It also involved anti-Jordan Members and their family members receiving political threats and even death threats. House Republicans are said to almost literally be at each others throats in private conference meetings. The chaos brought about by Donald Trump continuing to lead the Republican Party has led to an all out civil war among House Republicans, who have to be wondering if taking the majority after the 2022 midterms was even worth it. It would be pretty amazing if they can keep this majority after the next election. Another push this week to give temporary expanded powers to Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry of North Carolina also fizzled out in the face of a right-wing revolt.
Now, House Republicans are back to square one. At least half a dozen House Members are now saying they want to be Speaker and that one needs to be nominated and voted into the post, all next week. Establishment forces seem to now want Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, although others on the right flank of the party and those outside of Congress associated with Donald Trump are very much opposed to him. There are going to be many different options, but I have a hunch that Byron Donalds of Florida, a relatively new African-American Member, closely aligned with Trump might get a big MAGA push. Picking a black guy would be their way of “owning the libs.” Can any Republican get enough Republican votes on the House floor to become Speaker? At what point will Democrats be convinced they have to do something, anything, to help bail them out, and thus the entire ability of the government to function? Could there ever be a point in this brouhaha that could lead Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York to become Speaker? I very much doubt it, but if Republicans ever hold a Speaker election on the House floor, with enough of their….