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Republicans have been locked out of power for four years in the U.S. House of Representatives but might have to wait a few days longer before taking full control of the chamber, thanks to the inability of GOP lawmakers to agree on who should serve as speaker.
If Republicans cannot elect a speaker when the new Congress takes office on Jan. 3, the party cannot pass a rules package governing how the House will operate. Without concrete rules in place, the House cannot move legislation or approve committee assignments for lawmakers.
That means committees cannot begin issuing subpoenas or conducting oversight of the Biden administration — something GOP leaders pledged on the campaign trail would begin on day one of a Republican majority.
“This is a sh– show,” said a centrist House Republican. “Without a speaker, you can’t organize the House, which means committees can’t send subpoenas or pay staff. We’re supposed to govern, but you can’t govern without a speaker in place.”
KEVIN MCCARTHY FLOATS CONCESSION ON ALLOWING CONSERVATIVES TO REMOVE HOUSE SPEAKER
If Republicans cannot elect a speaker when the new Congress takes office on Jan. 3, the party cannot pass a rules package governing how the House will operate.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Some of the items that House Republicans will have to delay if a speaker cannot emerge the week of Jan. 3 are ceremonial. For instance, lawmakers will not be able to take ceremonial swearing-in photos without a speaker in place.
Other delays, though, could have serious impacts. The House Administration Committee has warned that without a rules package in place by Jan. 13, House committees will not be able to start paying staff.
ANDY BIGGS TO CHALLENGE KEVIN MCCARTHY FOR SPEAKER ON HOUSE FLOOR
“Committees need to be aware that should a House Rules package not be adopted by end of business on January 13 no committee will be able to process payroll since the committee’s authority for the new Congress is not yet…
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