The rule that allowed Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to single-handedly call for a vote ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has become a key issue for Republicans as they grapple over who should replace him.
Some are intent on changing the rule, known as a “motion to vacate,” so a handful of House Republicans can never again join with the minority to force a Speaker out and throw the House into chaos. But others who fought for the single-member threshold are defending it.
A group of 45 House Republicans — just over a fifth of the GOP conference — signed on to an open letter last week calling for changes to the “motion to vacate” rule, expressing frustration with the eight GOP lawmakers who joined with Democrats to remove McCarthy.
Okay, someone explain this to me:
The motion to vacate being made by one person is a rule the House voted on, which means it would take a majority of the House to change. Assuming the Dems have no desire to help the GOP (and why would they?) and assuming the Freedumb Cocks like the power this gives them and so wouldn’t change their votes, how could this rule be undone before the next session of Congress? McCarthy already promised Gaetz heaven and all the kingdoms of earth to become Speaker- what could anyone else offer him to make him change his mind?
Basically yeah. The far right and Dems both want it and the general republicans have to appease one of those groups to get a speaker. Funnily Dems probably would’ve been fine with trading it away if it weren’t for McCarthy’s reneging on bipartisan agreements.
Gaetz (and the other who voted McCarthy out) hated McCarthy. If someone like Jim Jordan gets voted in, they’ll be more than happy to get rid of the rule. It’s just high school drama.
There was what, eight GOP reps who voted with the Dems to oust McCarthy? That’s what I’m asking: if all the Dems vote against a rule change, and assuming that even if the GOP finally find someone else stupid and craven enough to think he can wrangle their shitshow majority, what incentive is there for Gaetz et al to give up that one-person motion to vacate rule? It essentially makes him kingmaker in the House.
The numbers just aren’t there to change it.
Nothing, which is why it won’t be on the table. The only way Gaetz keeps power is by being able to blow up the House.
It’s political theater and everyone knows it. The Republicans are unlikely to unite their fractured asses enough to pass the change. And the rest of the Republicans don’t want to look “soft” or like RINOS so they won’t make a deal with Democrats.
The Republicans just need to look functional enough till elections and hope they get a better majority in the house with people they can wrangle into line. Till then it’s a crystal clear line of bullshit.