The President’s Inbox cover image

The President’s Inbox

U.S. House Republican Speaker Battle, With Christopher M. Tuttle

Oct 17, 2023
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.
30:26

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 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.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner