Intro
In this episode of “The Daily,” the focus is on the ongoing battle for the position of House Speaker in the House of Representatives. The absence of a speaker has caused chaos in the government, preventing any progress on legislation, including aid to allies. With a deadline for a government shutdown looming, tensions are high as two conservative lawmakers, Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise, vie for the role. This episode delves into their backgrounds, strategies, and the implications of their potential leadership.
Main Takeaways
The Battle for House Speaker
- House of Representatives still has no speaker, causing chaos in government
- Without a speaker, House cannot move forward on any legislation, including aid to allies
- Deadline for government shutdown looming in the middle of November
Conservative Contenders: Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise
- Two conservatives, Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise, threw their names in the ring to succeed Kevin McCarthy as speaker
- Scalise seen as more pragmatic and invested in making the House work rather than obstructing government
- Jim Jordan is a conservative lawmaker who embodies the populist fighter model
- Jordan co-founded the House Freedom Caucus, which was willing to go to extremes to disrupt the status quo in Washington
- Jordan helped orchestrate a government shutdown in 2013 and was called a legislative terrorist by former Speaker of the House John Boehner
- Jordan is a huge Trump supporter and defended him during his impeachment inquiries
- Unlike Representative Scalise, Jordan is seen as a renegade and insurgent, and his nomination for speaker was not an overwhelming victory
Political Maneuvering and Negotiations
- Lawmakers start to negotiate in the middle of the day, causing misgivings and piling up issues
- Hard-right lawmakers negotiate with Scalise for commitment on pet issues
- Kevin McCarthy says time is of the essence, and Steve Scalise is having a tough time getting votes
- Animosity between the number one and number two in the house is common
The Rise of Jim Jordan
- Scalise withdraws from running for speaker, citing the need for unity and resolution of schisms
- Jim Jordan emerges as the only remaining candidate for the speakership
- Moderate Republicans express reluctance to support Jordan due to his hard-right views
- Jordan launches an intense lobbying campaign to win over House Republicans who are not ready to support him as Speaker
- Jordan’s allies activate the base, using conservative media influencers to post photos, names, and phone numbers of lawmakers who refuse to back Jordan and demand that constituents flood their phone lines to pressure them to vote for Jordan
- Jordan’s allies are using social media to pressure lawmakers to vote for Jordan as Speaker of the House
- Republican lawmakers fear being primaried for not being conservative enough
- Sean Hannity is involved in the campaign, asking for comments on lawmakers who refuse to back Jordan
- Jordan’s strategy is to strong-arm those who oppose him into supporting him through implicit threats
- The strategy seems to be working, with some important converts already won over
- Jordan has scheduled a vote on the House floor for Tuesday at noon
The Implications of a Jim Jordan Speakership
- Jim Jordan, a far-right Republican, could become the next Speaker of the House
- Jordan’s rise is due to a small minority of Republicans blocking Kevin McCarthy from becoming Speaker at the beginning of the year and then toppling him earlier this month
- Jordan is seen as an obstructionist who creates chaos rather than solves it
- If Jordan wins, it remains unclear what kind of mandate he would represent for a speaker
- The far-right faction of the House Republican Conference could have the final say in some of the biggest decisions made by the United States Congress if Jordan wins
Legal Ruling on Trump’s Actions
- Judge Tanya Chukkin ruled that Trump cannot vilify and implicitly encourage violence against public servants who are doing their jobs
- Trump can still publicly argue that the case is politically motivated
- The ruling is related to a lawsuit filed by House Democrats against Trump and others over the Capitol riot
- The lawsuit accuses Trump and others of inciting the riot and violating the Ku Klux Klan Act
- The far-right faction of the House Republican Conference could have the final say in some of the biggest decisions made by the United States Congress if Jordan wins
Summary
The Battle for House Speaker
The absence of a House Speaker has created chaos in the government, hindering progress on crucial legislation, including aid to allies. With a looming deadline for a government shutdown, the urgency to fill the position is mounting.
Conservative Contenders: Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise
Two conservative lawmakers, Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise, have emerged as contenders for the position of House Speaker. Scalise is seen as more pragmatic and focused on making the House work, while Jordan is known for his disruptive tactics and strong support for former President Trump.
Political Maneuvering and Negotiations
The negotiation process for the speakership has been marked by misgivings and issues piling up. Hard-right lawmakers are seeking commitments from Scalise on their pet issues, while Kevin McCarthy emphasizes the need for a timely resolution. Animosity between the top contenders is not uncommon.
The Rise of Jim Jordan
With Scalise withdrawing from the race, Jim Jordan has emerged as the sole candidate for the speakership. However, his hard-right views have raised concerns among moderate Republicans. Jordan has launched an intense lobbying campaign, employing social media and conservative influencers to pressure lawmakers into supporting him.
The Implications of a Jim Jordan Speakership
If Jim Jordan becomes the next Speaker of the House, it could have significant implications. Jordan’s far-right ideology and reputation as an obstructionist could shape the decision-making process in Congress, potentially giving the far-right faction of the House Republican Conference more influence.
Legal Ruling on Trump’s Actions
Judge Tanya Chukkin has ruled that former President Trump cannot vilify and implicitly encourage violence against public servants. The ruling is related to a lawsuit filed by House Democrats over the Capitol riot, accusing Trump and others of incitement and violating the Ku Klux Klan Act.
Conclusion
The battle for House Speaker continues to intensify, with Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise vying for the position. The outcome will have significant implications for the functioning of the House and the influence of the far-right faction within the Republican Party. As the negotiations and lobbying campaigns unfold, the future leadership of the House remains uncertain.
