Refusing to drop out, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan is telling GOP colleagues he will back a temporary speaker as he works to shore up support to win the gavel himself.
I think they can do this. The key thing will be that the entire House votes on it, because without that vote, all this guy can do is call a vote for the next Speaker (or recess the House).
They couldn’t have done this at the start of the term, though, because at that point nobody has been sworn in yet, committees haven’t formed, and the House session has no structure, so no business could take place at all. This is a bit different, because all that stuff has happened.
Ultimately, the House gets to organize itself, and if a majority in the House votes to allow a temporary Speaker, then we get a temporary Speaker.
I think they can do this. The key thing will be that the entire House votes on it, because without that vote, all this guy can do is call a vote for the next Speaker (or recess the House).
They couldn’t have done this at the start of the term, though, because at that point nobody has been sworn in yet, committees haven’t formed, and the House session has no structure, so no business could take place at all. This is a bit different, because all that stuff has happened.
Ultimately, the House gets to organize itself, and if a majority in the House votes to allow a temporary Speaker, then we get a temporary Speaker.