Following the lackluster midterm performance of Republicans, Democrat lawmakers are considering striking a deal with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for speaker votes, something they believe will be beneficial.
Not every Democrat lawmaker agrees with the strategy. Some Democratic lawmakers have floated the idea of supporting an alternative Republican candidate like outgoing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) for the role of Speaker.
The news Democrats could come to McCarthy’s aide to clinch the role of House Speaker comes after members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus vowed to withhold votes for McCarthy unless he cater to several demands.
Democratic lawmaker Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ.) was the first to publicly suggest McCarthy reach across the aisle for support, tweeting on Thursday (November 10), “Just cut a deal with the Dems Kevin.”
Gallego noted that whatever deal McCarthy would receive from the Freedom Caucus “will not be worth it.”
He added that while the odds of striking a deal with the Freedom Caucus would be “good,” the “goods will be odd.”
The Freedom Caucus was instrumental in getting former Republican House Speaker John Boehner (OH.) to step down and the demand that changes be made to the motion to vacate to make it easier for lawmakers to oust a sitting Speaker.
Dealing with such a demanding group may not be worth McCarthy’s time. As one lawmaker pointed out, striking a deal with the Freedom Caucus could lead McCarthy to be Speaker for three months.
However, one centrist lawmaker pointed to private discussions being held to get Cheney the speakership, describing it as a “rebuke of Trumpism.”
