House Republicans should be cooking with gas right now.
A debt ceiling crisis behind them, Republicans turned their attention to shielding the public from a federal intrusion into the kitchen. GOPers howled for months about potential regulation, if not prohibition, of gas stoves due to environmental concerns from the left. So Republicans drafted two bills to protect gas stoves.
If only some Republicans would let House Republicans even debate Republican bills about gas stoves.
Here’s what happened:
A conservative faction of House GOPers feel betrayed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. They don’t like the debt ceiling pact McCarthy forged with President Biden to avoid a federal default. They abhor the fact that more Democrats than Republicans – way more – voted for the debt ceiling measure. That’s even though McCarthy managed to convince about two-thirds of all House Republicans to vote in favor of a plan to suspend the debt limit.
GAS STOVE PROTECTION BILLS SUFFER MAJOR SETBACK AS HOUSE REPUBLICANS EXPRESS FRUSTRATION WITH MCCARTHY
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were able to reach a compromise on the debt ceiling bill that was voted on Wednesday night. (Getty Images)
Political observers were skeptical McCarthy could thread such a needle: carve a deal with the President yet maintain credibility with a wide swath of House GOPers. It was quite an achievement by McCarthy.
But, in the eyes of some conservatives, McCarthy’s success barely flickers like a pilot light.
A revolt among right-wing Republicans blocked the House from even considering the dual gas stove bills on Tuesday. After two days of unsuccessful negotiations with the rebel Republicans, McCarthy and the GOP brass canceled votes in the House until next Monday.
House Republicans prepped the gas stove bills for debate early this week. Most bills headed to the House floor require what’s called a “rule” before debate commences. The “rule” sets the guidelines for how the House…
