Posted on 10/01/2023 9:02:59 PM PDT by RandFan
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., says he will file a "motion to vacate the chair" this week.
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By rule, Gaetz’s resolution is "privileged." That means that when Gaetz offers his resolution, the House must consider it immediately or within two legislative days.
However, the vote will not immediately be on the motion to vacate the chair. It is highly probable that one of McCarthy’s lieutenants will then move to table (kill) Gaetz’s motion or make a motion to refer the effort to the Rules or House Administration Committee. So, the first vote is NOT actually on Gaetz’s motion, let alone an election of a new speaker. The vote is on the secondary motion to table or refer Gaetz’s measure to committee, not on the primary motion.
If the House approves the secondary motion to table or refer, then Gaetz’s gambit is euthanized. The gig is up.
But if the secondary motion fails, then the House votes on the primary motion. That would be Gaetz’s motion to vacate the chair. If the secondary motion loses, the primary motion likely prevails. If the primary motion (the motion to vacate) is successful, we are back to Jan. 3, the start of the Congress. The House must take a vote – or votes – to elect a speaker.
Everything on the House floor would come to a screeching halt. The House can do nothing on the floor without electing a speaker. No legislation on the floor. However, committees can continue to meet, et al.
It took 15 rounds spread over five days to elect McCarthy the first time. It was the longest speaker election since 1859. Consider how long it could take the House to re-elect McCarthy or tap someone else as speaker.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Yeah, but still, Gaetz has been shooting off his mouth for the past month and in the end it comes to nothing. Probably better off running for Gov. when DeSantis is done, need congressmen who aren’t all hat.
I’m not sure that guy is right. A motion to vacate can’t be tabled. It must be considered by the House, not find itself subject to some other motion.
The essential issue is McCarthy holding the Speakership via a handful of Dem votes. That would warrant daily motions to vacate.
Hakeem Jeffries, five minutes.
Did he count heads before he did this? He could actually strengthen McCarthy, if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Which I suspect he doesn’t.
I get sick to my stomach thinking about this, but have to agree with you.
The phrase “too clever by half” comes to mind.
With few seats to spare and a couple of absences and “present “ votes, Hello Speaker Hakeem
The US House is resembling the dysfunctional RINO-heavy Texas house.
Sadly, the Federal Senate is nothing like the deliberative, principled counterbalance that the Texas Senate is.
Kevin McCarthy is the equivalent of (R) Dade Phelan, a go-along-to-get-along “we alone, as your betters, have the chops to govern you little people” rat-bastard.
LORD have mercy.
>> Hello Speaker Hakeem
Never happen.
What MIGHT happen is the House consumed with succession battles.
When they are fighting, they aren’t passing punitive laws. I say let them duke it out. My hope is that a large number of RINOs will give up their seats/commit suicide/self-immolate. I can dream, can’t I?
Will the impeachment inquiry go on during the battle?
What about the 45 day budget extension?
>>Will the impeachment inquiry go on during the battle?
Hope so. With this crew of chickenhearted losers, who knows. But, frankly, who cares. It’s not governing, it’s governing theater. Grandstanding. The senate will never buy in.
>> What about the 45 day budget extension?
It’s apparently a fait accompli. It runs out in 45 days. When it runs out, shut down the gawdawful government.
WE ARE THIRTY-THREE TRILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT! WE CANNOT PAY THIS DEBT. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO SPEND AND DEVALUE OUR MONEY. WE HAVE TEN MILLION NEW ILLEGAL CITIZENS SINCE THAT PRICK BIDEN STOLE THE ELECTION, AND MORE ON THE WAY. SHUT! DOWN! THE DYSFUNCTIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!
The “purse power” of the House of Representatives is the ONLY!!! card WE HAVE TO PLAY RIGHT NOW. The House MUST AVERT THE SURE DESTRUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Call their freaking bluff, House!!! SHUT DOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
Gaetz has worn out my patience. He needs to be primaried in FL.
Agreed
The damage is done.
Now Gaetz will look weak if the motion fails.
If the votes this week are any indication, Gaetz doesn’t have what he needs to succeed with it.
Put up or shut up. Threats of action against the speaker are all we have heard. Do something or sit down and shut up !
Speaker for a day!
If Hakeem “The Dream” was elected, he would not be able to pass anything, and would be challenged at the earliest opportunity (i.e., the next legislative day.)
It’s all theatrics..that’s what they do.
Yep. Something is probably going to break soon with the two party system anyway, at least as we know it. You have two party systems in each party of our two party systems. It’s unsustainable.
This raises an interesting ploy. If there aren’t the numbers to break a quorum, a Vacate the Chair after Vacate the Chair after Vacate the Chair, and on and on, would bring things to a screeching halt.
EC
You do realize that when a Defense Authorization funding bill was brought to the floor banning drag and gay pride events on military bases, nineteen Republicans voted with all Democrats (212 + 19 = 231) and the bill was defeated, right?
And now these 231 Members of Congress are going to remove and replace Kevin McCarthy?
And people here think they will get a MAGA Speaker? From this House?
It’s insane.
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