Kevin McCarthy did not obtain the position of House Speaker without a struggle.
McCarthy had to endure a marathon of votes and negotiations with the most conservative members following the Republican control in the midterm elections.
Now, it appears that the conflict over the debt ceiling may cost him the position of speaker.
According to NBC News, conservatives in the House are contemplating using a parliamentary tactic to attempt McCarthy’s removal due to their displeasure with the agreement he negotiated with President Joe Biden.
During a conference call with fellow members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus on Monday evening, Colorado Republican Rep. Ken Buck reportedly proposed using a rule that would require a new vote for House speaker.
Buck referred to the prospective transfer as “the elephant in the room,” per NBC.
Buck wrote on Twitter on Monday evening, “we need real fiscal change in Washington. This bad deal isn’t the solution. It’s the opposite.”
.@KevinRobertsTX is right – we need real fiscal change in Washington. This bad deal isn’t the solution. It’s the opposite. https://t.co/64F8j6UUdI
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) May 30, 2023
According to NBC News, not all Republicans wished to take such a drastic measure as forcing a vote on McCarthy’s leadership.
However, the report quotes an unnamed lawmaker as saying that some Republicans believe the budget agreement is “a complete failure.”
“I’d say there are five or more who would be sympathetic to Buck’s position,” the lawmaker said.
A provision allowing a single member of the House to propose a resolution to vacate the speaker’s chair was one of the concessions McCarthy made during the days of back-and-forth that culminated in his January election as speaker.
More on this story via The Western Journal:
CNN reported at the time that the point was “this is significant because it would make it much easier than it is currently to trigger what is effectively a no-confidence vote in the speaker. Conservatives pushed hard for this, while moderates are worried it will weaken McCarthy’s hand.” CONTINUE READING…