One of the few tools far-right House Republicans have at their disposal to keep House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in their clutches is their ability to force a vote to oust him as speaker. It’s one of the many concessions he made to secure the gavel and why many speculate that McCarthy keeps returning to the hostage negotiation table with hardliners as they force a near-inevitable shutdown.
The speaker has just a few more days when the House comes back tomorrow to try to wrangle his caucus into agreeing on anything. As it becomes increasingly clear that a handful of far-right members aren’t going to accede to anything that would actually help avert a shutdown, McCarthy and his closest allies are becoming increasingly candid about their irritation with members like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and others, whom his allies have affectionately described as the “burn-it-all-down caucus.”
One such ally, Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), spoke out about the hardliners’ gambit on Sunday, threatening to force Gaetz & Co.’s hand by filing a motion to vacate the speakership. Here’s what he told CNN:
“I don’t think the speaker is even remotely concerned about some of the theatrics going on right now,” he said. “As a matter of fact … I drafted a motion to vacate for the speaker as well. I’ve got it sitting on my desk right now. And I said, ‘Look, if you’re going to keep hanging this over [his] head and playing these games, let’s just do it now, let’s get it over with. Get your little games over with and then we’ll get back to the things that actually matter.’”
The Best Of TPM Today
Here’s what you should read this evening:
Fifth Circuit Gives Red States Chance For Even Bigger Win In Biden Social Media Case
Wisconsin’s GOP Went To Extremes In Gerrymandering. Now They’re Scrambling To Protect That Power.
Menendez Asks For Presumption Of Innocence From Those Who See ‘Political Opportunity’ In His Indictment
Dem Calls For Menendez To Resign Mount
Trump Threatens To Go After Comcast, NBC For ‘Treason’ If He Gets Reelected
Yesterday’s Most Read Story
J-uh-sey — Josh Marshall
What We Are Reading
Majority of Americans continue to favor moving away from Electoral College — Pew Research Center
Millions of women, children risk losing WIC’s nutrition assistance if government shuts down — ABC News
Trump Floats the Idea of Executing Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley — The Atlantic