Ben Shapiro Dissects The GOP’s House Speaker Battle, And Why It May Be About To Get Even Messier

The Republican battle Who will inherit? Nancy Pelosi’s speaker of the House gavel may be about to get even messier, both behind the scenes and in front of the public, according to Ben Shapiro.

California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who served as House minority leader before the GOP won a majority in November, seemed poised to become the nation’s third-most powerful elected official until a small group of Republicans refused to back him in a series of votes this week. Shapiro, in a Thursday morning tweet thread, explained what was happening behind the scenes and hinted that there could be division between the 20 Republican standouts.

“Some, like [Texas Rep.] Chip Roy, have an actual strategy to exact concessions, many of which are good and proper,” The Daily Wire cofounder, best-selling author, and podcast host wrote. “Others refuse to vote McCarthy no matter what. They have no plan whatsoever.”

There is a significant divide among the 20 or more McCarthy supporters. Chip Roy (R.TX), for example, has an actual strategy to obtain concessions. Some of these concessions are very good and righteous. Others will vote against McCarthy no matter what. They don’t have any plan.

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 5, 2023

McCarthy was able to meet with the group Wednesday afternoon. However, it was not clear what concessions were made. McCarthy has at times shown a willingness to meet the group’s demands but has also bristled at being dictated to by a group at odds with over 200 members of the Republican caucus.

For now, McCarthy needs a majority of the 435-member body’s votes to become speaker. If McCarthy is to gain the votes of Democrats (who are strongly behind New York Rep. Hakeem Jefries), he must win support from all but four Republicans.

The House has had six votes so far in two days. The holdout group first backed Steve Scalise of Louisiana, then Jim Jordan of Ohio. Both of these men have supported McCarthy. The Republican holdouts voted to elect Florida Rep. Byron Donalds. He initially backed McCarthy but voted for him later.

It is the first time in a century that a vote for House speaker has gone to multiple ballots. McCarthy received 201 votes in the latest vote after Indiana Rep. Victoria Sparks had voted “present.” Voting is expected to resume on Thursday

Using their leverage to hold McCarthy’s feet to the fire on issues like runaway spending could work for the holdout group, Shapiro said. It could win its support by making concessions to McCarthy or giving assurances. Shapiro stated that McCarthy is not supported by a majority of the remaining holdouts.

“If you want to drain the swamp, you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise,” Matt Gaetz, a fierbrand Florida Rep., said Tuesday.

According to Shapiro Texas Rep. Chip Roy may be open to a deal. But Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz appears to be in the mix. “Never McCarthy” camp. (Getty Images)

Even former President Trump’s plea for the party to coalesce around McCarthy has fallen on deaf ears, despite the fact that many if not most of the holdout group are ardent Trump supporters.

Shapiro pointed out one scenario where GOP holdouts could force an election “wild counterplay” This could backfire on them. It would mean that the majority requirement to elect a new speaker is removed.

“That counterplay could take the form of Republicans and Democrats voting to appoint the Speaker by plurality rather than majority,” Shapiro wrote. “If that happens, this puts the ‘Never McCarthy’ group in the position of either voting for McCarthy, or letting Hakeem Jeffries become speaker.”

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