AOC Floats Possible “Coalition Government” After McCarthy Votes Fail

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) floated a possibility “coalition government” The House of Representatives Tuesday was the day after Republicans failed in their attempt to elect a speaker for the House. 

Ocasio-Cortez is a far-left progressive who raised the possibility of that Republican leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.After failing to win the majority vote to become speaker, he might have to engage in negotiations with Democrats. 

“I do not believe that Kevin McCarthy has the votes. I believe that a lot of the opposition to him is very personal. I believe his leadership style is incompatible with a lot of Republican members and certainly the Democratic Caucus.” Ocasio-Cortez stated this on MSNBC Tuesday night. 

“So the question is, is there anyone in their caucus that can build that consensus? If there isn’t, McCarthy’s team may have to come to the Democratic Party? And, if that’s the case, then what would that even look like. It’s rather unprecedented? Could it result in a potential coalition government?” Ocasio-Cortez asked.

THE VOTE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER: LIVE UPDATES

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) waits while the House of Representatives holds an election for Speaker of Congress, on the first day of Congress on January 3, 2023 in the House Chamber of U.S Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
(Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sits in the House Chamber during third round votes for House Speaker. This was on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C.
(Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

“Could we get Democratic chairs of committees as a result?” She wondered aloud. 

Her scenario: McCarthy would approach Democrats He would need to win 20 votes to become speaker. Democrats would offer him major concessions in exchange. They could also ensure their members are still in charge of powerful House committees. Ocasio Cortez stated clearly that this is unlikely to occur.

“I’m not saying necessarily that our party is signaling an openness just yet,” She told Alex Wagner on MSNBC. “But, really, it’s about the cards that are in McCarthy’s hands. And if he chooses to approach the Democratic Caucus, then that would be a negotiation, in and of itself, for a potential coalition government. But, again, this is very much an unprecedented time.”

MCCARTHY, GOP HOPE TO BREAK HOUSE SPEAKER LOGJAM AFTER WHIFFING ON TUESDAY

After meeting with House Republicans on January 3, 2023 in Washington, D.C., Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) speaks to reporters.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Twenty GOP hardliners refused vote for McCarthy in protest of three votes Tuesday. The House was then adjourned before Republicans consolidated support There is only one candidate for speaker. McCarthy, the House speaker’s liar, has not promised to change House rules to remove the speaker’s office from power and allow amendments to be submitted by rank-and-file House members. McCarthy’s friends accuse McCarthy of shaming the GOP for minor issues and shifting the goalposts. 

Wednesday’s session of the House will be rescheduled for a second round of speakership election. McCarthy must make additional concessions in order to get the 15 GOP votes needed to become speaker. 

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“There is a very interesting quandary that Kevin McCarthy is in. He needs to get these votes somewhere if he wants to be speaker, and if he can’t get those votes from the House Freedom Caucus, he’s not going to become speaker. Unless, he approaches the Democratic Party in order to enter into some negotiation,” Ocasio Cortez reiterated Tuesday to her Instagram followers.

“If this goes on, and on, and on, and the Republican Party has no speaker nominee, something has got to give.” 

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