Moderate House Democrats, including members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, have offered a deal to Republicans to end the ongoing fight over choosing a new House Speaker. The Democrats propose granting limited powers to House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry to address pressing issues such as foreign aid, emergency funding, and government funding. The emergency powers would be granted in 15-day increments until a permanent Speaker is chosen. Meanwhile, the House Republican conference has been unable to unite behind a candidate, with both Rep. Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan facing opposition from their colleagues.
House members are discussing the possibility of granting additional powers to Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick T. McHenry, who is currently serving as a placeholder following the removal of former speaker Kevin McCarthy. The debate centers around whether McHenry should have the authority to oversee the process of finding a new speaker or if he should be granted more substantial powers for a limited period of time. Some Republicans argue that McHenry should be able to run important legislation through, while Democrats view him as a figurehead. The precise powers of a pro tem speaker would be determined by a majority vote, and there is a growing consensus that the current interpretation of McHenry's authority defeats the purpose of having a speaker pro tempore succession. Legislation may be needed to resolve these questions in the future.
The absence of a House speaker amid the crisis in the Middle East has raised concerns about the US handling of the situation. The interim speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry, may not receive an intelligence briefing about the conflict, leading to potential challenges in responding to the crisis. While the Biden administration sees McHenry as credible and responsible, there is uncertainty about his authority and whether he can take any significant actions as Speaker Pro Tempore. The House's inability to advance legislative measures related to the crisis further complicates the situation. Scholars argue that McHenry's actions could establish new precedents for future Speakers Pro Tempore, potentially changing the role permanently. The chaos in the House leadership system has raised concerns among foreign policy experts about the US's reputation and the potential advantage it may give to adversaries. The House Republicans are currently in the process of electing a new speaker.
