Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) has suggested Republicans strike a deal with Democrats to get their help in electing a speaker, as the House remains in limbo over its new leader. Following a closed-door House Republicans’ meeting, Rogers told reporters that Republicans are willing to hear what concessions Democrats want in return for their support in getting a speaker elected.
“We’re willing to work with them, but they gotta tell us what they need,” he told reporters.
Calling out the eight Republicans who sided with Democrats and helped remove Kevin McCarthy from the speaker’s position, he termed them “traitors” and accused them of “paralyzing” the House.
He added that the GOP should not limit itself to just getting 217 votes, which is the number one needed to win the speakership in the House.
Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Massachusetts), when asked about this proposal, said that the Democratic Party’s “door was open,” but added that any decision to this effect would ultimately be taken by the caucus.
Since it is currently operating without a fully functioning speaker, the House cannot act on some crucial outstanding matters, including a potential government shutdown or the Israel-Palestine conflict.
On Friday, the GOP conference voted for Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to be their next nominee as speaker, but it remains unclear if he will manage to get the support needed to win the seat.
Jordan is expected to call a speaker vote on Tuesday.
