U.S. House Republican Speaker Battle, With Christopher M. Tuttle
Oct 17, 2023
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Christopher M. Tuttle, senior fellow at CFR, discusses the intense battle over the selection of the next Speaker of the House within the U.S. House Republican party. This episode explores the factors behind Speaker Kevin McCarthy's replacement, the dynamics between McCarthy and Scalise, and potential outcomes for American foreign policy.
The selection of a new Speaker of the House for the U.S. Republicans is not solely based on ideology, but also on attitude and willingness to take extreme measures.
The absence of a Speaker hampers the House's ability to pass crucial legislation, impacting American foreign policy and raising questions about the Republican Party's ability to govern effectively.
Deep dives
House Republicans Battle for New Speaker
The House Republicans are facing the task of selecting a new Speaker of the House after Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position. Dissatisfaction with McCarthy's leadership, particularly in terms of not governing conservatively enough, played a key role in his ousting. This battle for the Speaker position is not purely ideological, but rather a question of attitude and willingness to go to battle. The hardline faction within the party wants a leader who is uncompromising and willing to take extreme measures, such as shutting down the government or breaching the debt ceiling. Personal factors also played a role, as some members felt that McCarthy had broken promises in budget negotiations. However, McCarthy's replacement is still uncertain, with potential candidates including Jim Jordan and a possible unity speaker. The absence of a Speaker has consequences for the House's ability to pass legislation and address foreign policy challenges.
Repercussions for American Foreign Policy and Funding
The absence of a Speaker of the House has implications for American foreign policy, particularly in regards to supporting Ukraine, Israel, and handling issues at the southern border and in Taiwan. The delay in selecting a new Speaker hampers the House's ability to pass crucial legislation, such as a funding bill for Ukraine. The current situation puts pressure on Patrick McHenry, the Speaker Pro Tempore, to act as a caretaker or potentially an elected Speaker Pro Tempore with expanded powers. It is uncertain how divisions within the Republican Party will affect funding decisions and foreign policy priorities. While some traditional Republicans strongly support assistance to Ukraine, Republican base voters increasingly prioritize domestic issues over international aid. The battle for the Speakership reflects a deeper division within the Republican Party and raises questions about its ability to govern effectively and maintain credibility.
The Future of the Republican Party
The battle over the House Speakership underscores the messy and divided state of the Republican Party. It is uncertain what this means for the future of the party. The ongoing cycle of internal conflicts and power struggles undermines the party's ability to govern and damages its credibility. While there is hope for a moment of reflection and reunification, the trajectory of the party remains uncertain. The strained relationship between different factions within the party and the loss of credibility pose challenges for future elections and the party's ability to effectively govern.
Christopher M. Tuttle, a senior fellow and director of the Renewing America Initiative at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the efforts of U.S. House Republicans to elect a new speaker of the House. This episode is part of the Council on Foreign Relations, Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.