Earlier this month, we experienced virtually unprecedented chaos on Capitol Hill that reached a crescendo with the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.-20). This is the first time a Speaker of the House has ever been removed using the motion to vacate procedure.
As part of a last-ditch effort to stave off a government shutdown, Speaker McCarthy in late September helped engineer a clean continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government at current levels for 45 days. This legislation was intended to give Democrats and Republicans time to negotiate longer-term federal funding and finish their work on outstanding appropriations bills. The clean CR passed 335-91 and ended up getting more support from Democrats than Republicans. The Senate that evening voted 88-9 to approve the House-passed CR, which was later signed by President Biden. However, within a week, a handful of far-right Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.-1), organized a revolt to oust Speaker McCarthy from leadership using the motion to vacate procedure – something that had not been used since 1910. Despite Speaker McCarthy having the support of over 96% of the House Republican Conference, the effort to remove him as Speaker ultimately succeeded with eight Republican and 208 Democratic votes.
With the inability to move legislation or work on appropriations bills, House Republicans are struggling to settle on a candidate for Speaker of the House, over two weeks after McCarthy lost the gavel. Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.-1) initially won a GOP House caucus vote but withdrew after he was unable to secure 217 GOP vote commitments prior to a floor vote. Focus then turned to Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio-4), although it is unclear whether he will be able to muster enough support among establishment and moderate members. Given the internal fracas among House GOP members, the timing of a future Speaker House floor vote remains up in the air. It is possible that we may see yet other candidates for Speaker emerge in the coming days.
Due in large part to our efforts via NAAPAC, the NAA is fortunate to have strong working relationships with House GOP leadership and key committee leaders. We are ready to continue pressing ahead with our industry priorities, regardless of the eventual outcome for Speaker. NAA’s Government Affairs team is closely monitoring all these changing leadership developments while continuing to find bipartisan cosponsors for our industry’s legislative priorities. We are trying to ensure that S. 1688/H.R. 3507, The Yes In My Backyard Act, and S. 32/H.R. 4606, The Choice in Affordable Housing Act, are part of whatever bipartisan housing package that the Senate Banking Committee puts together. The NAA team is actively working to build support for H.R. 802, The Respect State Housing Laws Act, and have the bill language included in an end-of-year spending bill. NAAPAC was instrumental in getting these bills first pulled together and introduced, and your support of NAAPAC helps us continue to educate members of Congress on their benefits.
As always, we welcome your input and insight on these issues. If you have questions do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].