'Ashamed' about no Speaker, GOP tries again

House Republicans could tap a new nominee today

Also in today’s edition of ‘Regular Order’ for October 24, 2023:

• Can the GOP actually pick someone this week?

• Senate panel looks at plague of robocalls.

• Texas Democrat swears up a storm on tape.

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SPEAKER. Three weeks after eight House Republicans helped oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, GOP lawmakers will gather again this morning behind closed doors to see if they can finally fill that leadership post. In the hallways last night at least, there was definitely a major dose of optimism among House Republicans, who have been overwhelmed by their inability to pick a new Speaker.

• FINALITY. "I really think (today) will be the day we will finally have a Speaker," said Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). "The American people are frustrated," said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), one of the eight GOP candidates left in the Speaker race. "I think people are so discouraged by what's happened the last three weeks that they want to come together," said Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE).

• MAYBE NOT. But others weren't so sure. “I'm ashamed that we're in this position,” said Rep. James Comer (R-KY). "This could stretch out another two or three weeks." "I like to be an optimist," said Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD). "But I would tell you the last four weeks have not provided me a lot of reasons to be optimistic that Republicans are going to have their act together."

• MAJORITY. The number that everyone was talking about last night is how do Republicans make sure their nominee can actually get 217 GOP votes for Speaker. "We're just wasting our time going to the floor without 217," said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN).

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GOP EIGHT. With the withdrawal of Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), there will be eight GOP candidates on the ballot as the voting begins this morning. Let's get out our Congressional Daily Racing Form to check the field.

• TOM EMMER (MN) - The House Majority Whip should have the best chance to muster a majority. The question is whether Freedom Caucus members would support a current member of the GOP leadership as Speaker.

• KEVIN HERN (OK) - Everyone now knows that Hern runs McDonald's franchises, as he handed out cheeseburgers on Monday. If Emmer can't close the deal, Hern may be the next best GOP option.

• MIKE JOHNSON (LA) - Running right alongside of Hern is Johnson, who is certainly a serious candidate when it comes to the issues of the day.

• AUSTIN SCOTT (GA) - "I told my colleagues if you like someone who's honest, who's got courage, and a strong work ethic, I would love to be your Speaker."

• BYRON DONALDS (FL) - With the support of Tea Party and Freedom Caucus groups, Donalds might look like a popular candidate. But he also faces a lot of questions from other Republicans who think he's a showboat.

• PETE SESSIONS (TX) - Yes, Sessions has been around and held important GOP posts. But it just seems like he's not a candidate of tomorrow for Republicans right now.

• GARY PALMER (AL) - He's got his Palmer Principles, but advancing deep into the selection process would be a surprise.

• JACK BERGMAN (MI) - Nothing against Bergman, but I would be surprised if he is not eliminated on the first ballot.

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VOTING. When Republicans gather this morning, they will operate under the same procedures they have used in the past. If no one gets a majority on the first ballot, then the candidate getting the fewest votes will be dropped for the next round. That continues until someone gets to a majority of GOP votes.

• MAJORITY. But I have to point out that we have already seen twice this month how someone having a majority doesn't mean they win on the House floor - just look at Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan. That has some pressing Republicans to promise they will support the candidate with a majority of GOP votes.

• FLOOD. "The Unity Pledge is a new effort to help our conference put our differences aside and come together," said Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE). Put me down as skeptical about whether it can work among House Republicans.

• STAY HERE. Meanwhile, members of the House Freedom Caucus on Monday called for Republicans to get the job done. "We should not leave Washington again until we have a Speaker of the House,” said Rep. Bob Good (R-VA).

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TRUMP. Hanging over this race in recent days has been former President Donald Trump, who has spoken to the GOP candidates, but not endorsed anyone publicly. "I'm staying above it," Trump told reporters at a stop in New Hampshire. "I have to right now."

• EMMER. Maybe trying the hardest to stay in Trump's good graces was House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), who spoke to Trump on Sunday. "If my colleagues elect me Speaker of the House, I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship," Emmer said in a tweet to Trump.

• 2020 ELECTION. Trump did not say anything about the last election, as Emmer was one of only two GOP candidates for Speaker who voted to certify all of the electoral votes on January 6.

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CAMPAIGN PROMISES. So what were the candidates promising to their colleagues? Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) was handing out a card to fellow Republicans, with the title of, "Bringing Stability Back to the House of Representatives." He calls this the "Palmer Principles."

• Fund the government on time with all single subject appropriations bills passing the House by June 30th.

• Real spending cuts, not budget gimmicks

• No short term CRs

• Enforce a true 72 hour rule allowing members and the American people time to review legislation

• Unite the Republican Conference before going to the House floor

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COMMITTEES. Not only is the House floor schedule suffering because of the GOP Speaker debacle, but work is also being delayed in various House committees. For example, with GOP lawmakers behind closed doors today taking votes for Speaker, a series of scheduled hearings had to be postponed.

• ON HOLD. While some committees are continuing to work, others have been putting their own work on hold. "My (Jan. 6) investigation and my efforts to recover missing documents are suspended until we select a Speaker," complained Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA). "It’s time to get back to work!"

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ROBOCALLS. While work in the House is on hold, the Senate Commerce Committee holds a hearing today on robocalls. "Congress must step up to stop these unwanted and harmful communications," said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), who says the phone calls 'scammed Americans out of $39 billion in 2022.'

• LEGISLATION. Congress has cracked down before on robocalls, passing a new law most recently in 2019. But those behind the calls continue to find new ways to get around existing rules - and new ways to steal money from Americans who answer the phone. Now there are fresh concerns about robotexts as well.

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JACKSON LEE. Social media was alive in recent days with a tape recording of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) swearing like a sailor as she verbally barbeques her staffers. "I won't want you to do a goddamn thing," Jackson Lee says at one point. "I want you to have a fucking brain."

• THE PAST. Don't be surprised by this kind of conduct from Jackson Lee, who is currently running for Mayor of Houston. As far back as the mid-1990's, I heard stories like this one about what was happening in Jackson Lee's office - often marked by her boorish behavior toward her staffers.

• SJL. In a statement issued last night, Jackson Lee didn't deny what was on the tape. "At heart, I am someone who tells it straight," said the Texas Democrat. "I am regretful and hope you will judge me not by something trotted out by a political opponent."

• MEMBERS. Unfortunately, many members of Congress are good at politics, but not good at managing an office or dealing with staff (and the people they hire to run their offices sometimes aren't much better).

• ALWAYS. This recording again brings up the issue of cellphones. I think - as a member of Congress - you almost have to operate under the 24/7 assumption that you are ALWAYS being recorded by someone. Act accordingly.

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GOP RACE. There have been a lot of negative rumblings in recent days about the viability of the campaign for President being run by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). Last night came word that Scott was canceling all advertising in the next five weeks in New Hampshire, and moving to concentrate his campaign resources in Iowa.

• TIM SCOTT. That news emerged a day after a rough appearance for Scott on ABC's 'This Week'. On Sunday, Scott accused President Biden of having 'blood on his hands' and said Biden was ‘complicit’ in the Hamas attacks on Israel, which drew a sharp rejoinder from ABC's Jonathan Karl.

• HISTORY. Normally, when a campaign starts ignoring either Iowa or New Hampshire - that's a very bad sign. Scott has struggled to keep his White House bid front and center - especially since former President Donald Trump basically has the GOP nomination wrapped up.

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NOT GUILTY. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was back in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, as he entered a plea of not guilty to charges that he acted as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt. The New Jersey Democrat took no questions from reporters as he left the courthouse.

• STATEMENT. Menendez - who has beaten a federal corruption rap before on a hung jury - denounced the case against him. "The government's latest charge flies in the face of my long record of standing up for human rights and democracy in Egypt," Menendez said. "I have done nothing wrong and once all the facts are presented will be found innocent."

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RAP SHEET. A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to one felony charge for his actions on Jan. 6. Anthony Nolf helped other rioters dismantle police fencing outside the Capitol building; he then made his way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, where he joined the crowd in trying to ram their way through police lines.

• CENTENNIAL. A Colorado man has pleaded guilty to charges tied to his actions on Jan. 6. Avery MacCracken physically obstructed police officers outside of the Capitol as he pushed through security lines into restricted areas that day.

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MUSE OF HISTORY.  October 24, 1973.  Four days after the 'Saturday Night Massacre' by President Nixon, Congress was still in shock, demanding the President appoint a new special prosecutor on Watergate.  "Never in my political career have I witnessed the torrent of mail, telegrams, and telephone calls," said Rep. William Cotter (D-CT).  "The President has broken faith with the American people," said Rep. Don Fuqua (D-FL), who introduced a bill for a new special counsel. 

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:

The House convenes at 11 am.

The Senate meets at 10 am.

Check President Biden’s schedule.

Follow me on Twitter @jamiedupree.

Email me at jamiedupree@substack.com