Congress approaches fiscal new year with plenty of noisemakers
I was scrolling through various news apps last Wednesday when I came across a partial headline that read, “Speaker Mike Johnson stands down….” I made a mental note to come back to that after I had scanned the other news heads.
When I did remember to revisit the full story several hours later, the partial headline was no longer there, though other stories had appeared about the House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pulling the six-month stopgap continuing appropriations bill for lack of votes, which I suspect the original misleading headline was all about.
The Speaker was not standing down as Speaker; he was standing down from his seemingly iron-clad insistence on bringing the bill to the floor without the votes to pass it. But it was already apparent that at least seven Republicans had publicly vowed they would vote against the bill. With their narrow majority, Republicans could not afford to lose more than four votes if all Democrats voted together against the measure.
That awkward headline, however, triggered a memory of last spring, when there were rumblings in House GOP ranks about a likely vote on a motion to “vacate the chair,” that is, to remove Johnson as Speaker. On May 8, the House voted 359-43 to table the vacate motion offered by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
It was a reversal of the successful attempt last October by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Speaker over disagreements on a continuing appropriations bill. In that instance, the House voted 216-210 to vacate the chair, with eight Republicans and all 208 voting Democrats in favor. It wasn’t until three weeks later that Johnson was elected as McCarthy’s replacement.
Will the fate of the money bill this month again trigger a renewed effort by some Republicans to oust Johnson as Speaker if he proposes a compromise they oppose? Such a putsch would make little sense with time running out on the 118th Congress. It will certainly be a matter for discussion when the 119th Congress convenes in January. Regardless of whether Republicans retain majority control, there will likely be highly competitive races for every GOP leadership post.
Republican leadership fights in the House are frequent, whether they are in the majority or minority. Think of the fates of former Speakers John Boehner (R-Ohio), Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), and, of course, McCarthy. Perhaps the die was cast back in 1910 when powerful Speaker “Uncle Joe” Cannon (R-Ill.) was stripped of most of his powers by his own Republican colleagues after just four terms in the chair. Speakers may enter the office with a gavel in hand, but they are always aware there is also a permanent target on their backs.
Have newly-elected Republican leaders learned anything from their predecessors? They certainly talk a good game about the changes they’ll make: more deference to the party conference in talking through issues; more independence for committees and their chairs; more open floor debates and amendments; and, generally, more “regular order” (whatever that may mean at this point). Once in office, though, each Speaker soon learns there were reasons their predecessors acted as they did: to get things done.
It’s difficult to retain control of a raucous caucus without tough leadership from the top when it’s urgently needed to keep the Congress and country in working order. You can’t please all of the party members all of the time. With a slim majority, a unified opposition party, and volatile polarization — all simmering under an overheated dome — regular blow-ups are bound to occur.
One additional complicating element is the effect of divided-party government. With the presidency held by one party and control of the two houses of Congress divided between parties, it is all the more difficult to come to agreement on most issues. That’s especially the case when it comes down to the money crunch at the end of a fiscal year.
Back in the mid-20th century, the senator from my home state, Everett McKinley Dirksen (R-Ill.) used to say, “A million here and a million there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.” Today he would have to revise and extend his remarks upward into the billions and even trillions.
Continuing and omnibus appropriations bills tend to focus the mind on just how much larger and costly the government has become. And objectors to this crumbling of the country’s fiscal house have become much louder. Brace yourself for the fiscal new year — no additional noisemakers are required.
Don Wolfensberger is a 28-year congressional staff veteran who served as chief of staff of the House Rules Committee in 1995. He is the author of “Congress and the People: Deliberative Democracy on Trial” (2000); and, “Changing Cultures in Congress: From Fair Play to Power Plays” (2018).
Date: |
Topics
-
ABC News - Health
Republicans are trying a new approach to abortion in the race for Congress
In the most contested races for control of the U.S. House, many Republican candidates are speaking up about women’s rights to abortion access and reproductive care in new and surprising ways14 minutes ago - Abortion -
ESPN - Sports
Is there a new Patriot Way? How Jerod Mayo approaches coaching
The first-time head coach differs from Bill Belichick when comes to team culture. Plus, what are Robert Kraft's expectations for Mayo?3 hours ago -
The New York Times - Business
Harrison J. Goldin Dies at 88; New York City Comptroller in Fiscal Crisis
He weathered the storm as the city’s chief financial officer for 16 years and jousted with Mayor Koch in a public feud and a losing primary bid to replace him.3 hours ago - New York -
The Hill - Politics
New data show Congress’s crusade against remote work is a mistake
The Office of Management and Budget report shows that federal agencies are exceeding the administration's 50 percent in-office goal for telework-eligible employees, with 61 percent of work hours ...2 days ago -
NBC News - Politics
Congress mulls new Secret Service funding after apparent attempt on Trump's life
Congress is considering boosting funding for the Secret Service after an apparent second assassination attempt on Donald Trump.2 days ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Berlin’s Watergate nightclub will close with New Year’s Eve last dance
Upmarket Kreuzberg club blames economic pressures, a pandemic hangover and Berlin’s dated image as factors leading to end of 22-year party. Berlin’s Watergate nightclub, one of the institutions of ...2 days ago -
GameSpot - Tech
"Large Scale" Playtests For New Battlefield Will Start Early Next Year
More details about the next entry in the Battlefield franchise have been revealed during a recent EA Investor's presentation , with a "large scale community-driven testing program" for the game ...2 days ago -
MarketWatch - Business
Social Security will run out of money in 8 years. Is anyone paying attention?
The most important issue that nearly everyone is ignoring18 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Harris vs. Trump: What the polls are saying
Welcome to The Hill's Campaign newsletter {beacon} Campaign Report Campaign Report The Big Story Harris vs. Trump: What the polls are saying The presidential election between Vice President ...19 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Kellyanne Conway: Trump would choose JD Vance again
Kellyanne Conway has suggested that former President Trump does not regret picking Sen. JD Vance as his running mate and would make the same decision today if given the opportunity.26 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Robinson says he's staying in NC governor's race after bombshell CNN report
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) on Thursday said he’s staying in the gubernatorial race following speculation throughout the day that he might drop out in response to an explosive CNN ...30 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Casey leading McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate polling
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D) is leading his Republican rival Dave McCormick in new Keystone State polling. In a new poll from The Philadelphia Inquirer/The New York Times/Siena College, Casey ...41 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Moskowitz swipes after Comer says to take medication: ‘We know who’s taking more’
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) traded personal swipes over who takes more medication after Moskowitz attacked Comer’s ...44 minutes ago