Nearly a dozen conservative lawmakers sabotaged a procedural vote in a stunning and historical rebuke of Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt ceiling deal with President Joe Biden.
UPDATE: McCarthy canceled the entire docket of votes slated through the end of the week as the standoff continues. Members are set to return on Monday, when the speaker will attempt to get his party back in line.
ORIGINAL: The group voted with Democrats to block four messaging bills that House Republican leaders were hoping to pass and catch headlines with this week.
Instead, headlines have captured the near-mutiny against Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership after conservative members of the House derided his debt negotiations for not going far enough to be meaningful while conceding too much to Democrats.
The blocked bills included two measures meant to prohibit federal bans on gas stoves and two others to curb related federal regulations.
“We’re frustrated at the way this place is operating,” Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told reporters as the vote was happening.
It is exceedingly rare for a rule vote to fail. The procedural vote allows debate of legislation on the floor. Even when members don’t agree with the underlying legislation, they almost always vote with their party on the rule to allow debate.
The last rule vote to fail on the floor took place in 2002.
Tense Discussion on the Floor
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) pulled over a dozen conservatives to the back of the chamber in an obviously tense effort to flip votes.
Representative Dan Bishop (R-NC) appeared visibly angry, waving his hands around as he spoke.
“I think leadership now understands it is a matter of some urgency,” he later said.
Representative Ken Buck (R-CO) told reporters that voting down rules is an option conservatives have before a motion to vacate – which could oust McCarthy as Speaker.
The eleven representatives who ultimately voted against the rule, mostly House Freedom Caucus members, are: Andy Biggs (AZ), Dan Bishop (NC), Lauren Boebert (CO), Ken Buck (CO), Tim Burchett (TN), Eli Crane (AZ), Matt Gaetz (FL), Bob Good (VA), Ralph Norman (SC), Matt Rosendale (MT) and Chip Roy (TX).
Just second before the vote closed, Scalise also voted “no” in a procedural move that will allow him to bring the rule up for another vote at a later time.
MAGA vs RINO RNC Estd side OK
shame on them. They will cause us to lose everything. Must pull together and act like adults. I am ashamed of everyone of them.
While I’m not really impressed with McCarthy infighting gets us nowhere while the Demornats continue their destruction without repercussions.
I was willing to give McCarthy a chance. UNFORTUNATELY he blew it. He’s just proved he’s just another CRAZY, STUPID politician from Cali. And has NO INTENTION of doing what is RIGHT for the country. But only what will aggrandize himself. The ENTIRE DC swamp needs to be FIRED.