Kevin McCarthy's concessions that won him a pocket full of votes for Speaker trends now
Kevin McCarthy's concessions to a group of arch conservatives has won him 15 votes and (maybe) counting – while also likely ensuring future headaches, floor fights, Senate clashes and perhaps even a crisis over whether the U.S. goes into default.
The final concessions that McCarthy negotiated were enough to bring over a group of fellow elected lawmakers who had voted against him repeatedly on 12 successive votes, amid the prolonged televised spectacle.
They got nearly everything they asked for – beyond subcommittee gavels that other members of the Conference rejected as an unfair boost, although McCarthy still wasn't able to prevail on the 13th vote to elect him as Speaker.
Kevin McCarthy yielded to a series of demands by conservative rebels in his bid to become Speaker
Rules Committee representation
Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus got commitments to be added to the Rules panel. The committee exerts tremendous power by setting the terms of debate, but usually operates as a tool of the Speaker. (It traditionally has a 9:4 ratio, so the majority never loses).
With more representation, the conservatives will be able to help allow for floor amendments on policy issues and messaging opportunities from abortion to government spending.
The panel also decides which members get the floor time and prestige of having their amendments debated – another opportunity to build up the profile of their faction.
Single member can move to 'vacate the chair'
If McCarthy thought overcoming a band of holdouts was tough this week, things could get even harder if he becomes speaker.
A single member would get to move to 'vacate the chair.' This reverts to prior procedure, which Freedom Caucus to threaten former Speaker John Boehner.
McCarthy had already agreed to a five-vote requirement to make the motion, which sets up essentially a vote of no-confidence in the Speaker, and agreed to lower it to a single lawmaker.
Rep.-elect Scott Perry, R-Pa. helped hammer out concessions with McCarthy allies
Rep.-elect Chip Roy, R-Texas was another holdout who helped negotiate a deal and flipped to supporting McCarthy
The concessions to conservatives on spending bills could set up a clash with the Democratic-run Senate, where Republicans including Sen. Mitch McConnell will carve out a different posture
Hard line on debt limit
McCarthy has agreed to take a hard line on increasing the statutory debt limit – which Congress must lift to accommodate spending it has agreed to through appropriations.
Lawmakers weren't direct about what the exact deal was. But one of the holdouts who flipped, Rep.-elect Ralph Norman, had demanded a very tough line.
'Is he willing to shut the government down rather than raise the debt ceiling? That's a non-negotiable item,' Norman said before switching to back McCarthy.
Rep.-elect Chip Roy (R-Texas) wouldn't reveal the precise nature of the deal, which was reported by the read more from dailymail.....
