Top House Republican Wants Help From Democrats to Pick a Speaker
- Armed Services chair asks Democrats for conditions to cut deal
- Foreign Affairs chair floats expanding McHenry’s powers
Hakeem Jeffries
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The Republican leaders of two national security committees called for dramatic action to overcome the standoff in the election of a US House speaker, which has left the chamber paralyzed and unable to address aid to Israel or conduct any other business.
Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers and Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul acknowledged Thursday that their party is unable to get 217 votes to elect a speaker solely on the backs of Republican support. Republicans can afford to lose only four votes if Democrats remain united behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.