Short Takes – 10-13-23 - Speaker’s Chaos Edition

Morning Report — Will Scalise get to 217? TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “At least six lawmakers announced Wednesday they wouldn’t support Scalise’s candidacy, all but guaranteeing the chamber could face another protracted Speaker vote akin to McCarthy’s 15-ballot ordeal at the start of the year. Others, like Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) told reporters “I just don’t think Steve’s got the votes,” despite voting for him during the closed-door meeting. Jordan, however, said he offered to deliver a nominating speech on Scalise’s behalf (The Hill and Politico).”

Scalise Withdraws as Speaker Candidate, Leaving G.O.P. in Chaos. NYTimes.com article. Pull quote: “It was the latest remarkable turn in a saga that has been marked by whiplash, shifting alliances and petty grudges. The situation has highlighted major changes in the nature of the House Republican conference, whose members once dutifully lined up in support of their chosen leaders but increasingly appeared to be pursuing a strategy of every member for themselves.”

Republicans rudderless as Speaker mess consumes House. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “But with no guarantee that Republicans will unite behind a Speaker any time soon, some members are eyeing an option to address the war in Israel and avert a government shutdown next month by giving Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) more power to move legislation and oversee the House floor.”

Republicans eye expanding McHenry’s powers amid leadership fallout. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““The preferred approach is simply to do what we should do, which is come together and elect a new Republican who has the support of the conference to be the next Speaker of the House, and this all emanates from the fact that it was a mistake last week to vacate the chair.””

GOP leadership crisis deepens as House remains paralyzed with no end in sight to speaker’s race. CNN.com article. Pull quote: ““We’ve got a very small group of people that they have to have everything their way. We had a group that sabotaged Speaker McCarthy and now we’ve had a group that sabotaged Steve Scalise, both of them great people,” he [Rep. Austin Scott] said.”

Republicans Gaetz, Greene blast party's closed-door speaker discussions. FoxNews.com article. Pull quote: “Gaetz tweeted that he agreed with Greene, saying the House GOP should "do the messy work of governing and leadership selection in front of the people."”

Steve Scalise Quits House Speaker Race. WSJ.com article (free). Pull quote: “Meanwhile, Jeffries highlighted another option—to pick a speaker who could win votes from both parties. He said House Democrats have “continued to make clear that we are ready, willing and able to fly a bipartisan path forward.””

Republicans fume as party tanks latest speaker pick. Politico.com article. Pull quote: “Other vulnerable members in tough Biden districts who have signaled discontent with the right flank of the conference are also viewed as potential “no” votes for Jordan. One prominent voice in that camp, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), declined to say on Thursday night if he would vote for the Ohio Republican.”