Perhaps a tediously civic-minded dissenting view "at this time", 7:30 pm after McCarthy has been ousted and said he will not run again for the post. This is the national legislature. It is also that half of that body where all legislation starts: From the House to the Senate to the President. In that order. Because of that order the entire government is not functioning "at this time". And it can't until a new Speaker is elected. The position of Speaker pro tempore, now Patrick McHenry's, is not like the vice presidency when the president is incapacitated or dead. The Speaker of the House is also third in line of the presidency. The Speaker pro tem is not. As Speaker pro tem McHenry does not have the power seamlessly to restart the legislative process. So the entire government awaits the election of a new Speaker. Democrats are almost exactly one-half of the House, a little over one-half of the Senate, and have the White House. Democrats now must cooperate in choosing a new Speaker.
Tuesday, October 03, 2023
The Speaker of the House is chosen by the Majority Party. In this Congress, it is the responsibility of House Republicans to choose a nominee & elect the Speaker on the Floor. At this time there is no justification for a departure from this tradition.
The House will be in order.
