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.
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.