“The House could continue to operate indefinitely with whatever Speaker pro tempore that McCarthy has nominated.”
I don’t think that is true. I believe that the speaker pro tempore will only be able to handle the vote for the new speaker and call adjourns and next sessions. Nothing else.
It’s not complicated.
The Speaker need do nothing else than advance legislation that has the majority support of his caucus, and very specifically NOT advance legislation that does not have majority support of his caucus.
That’s it. It’s that straightforward. There is nothing else involved. McCarthy somehow could not accept this.
When you don’t have support of your majority, you don’t go tossing a fishing line to the other party to get support for your priorities. You’re not there to lead. You’re there to represent.