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U.S. NEWS A3
Monday 19 October 2015
Republicans Return to Capitol
to Face Leadership Mess
ERICA WERNER It also leaves any resolu-
AP Congressional Corre- tion unclear for a party that
spondent seems nearly irreparably
WASHINGTON (AP) — divided. More than a half-
House Republicans return dozen lawmakers are con-
to Washington this week to sidering running for speak-
confront a nearly unprec- er if Ryan does not, even
edented leadership crisis, as hard-liners warn that
looming budget deadlines Boehner risks more rebel-
and a deeply uncertain fu- lions if he stays on past his
ture. planned departure date of
Attention is focused on Wis- Oct. 29.
consin Rep. Paul Ryan, the “John is a lame duck. There
party’s 2012 vice presiden- was a reason John an-
tial nominee, who is under nounced his resignation,”
pressure from Republican said Rep. Mick Mulvaney,
leaders to run for House a leader of the ultracon-
speaker — a job he repeat- servative House Freedom
edly has made clear he Caucus. “I think Paul does
does not want. have the credibility across
Even if Ryan yields to his col- the conference to be able
leagues’ pleas, conserva- to unite us, but to say he’s
tives are increasingly serv- the only one I think is hyper-
ing notice that the 45-year- bole.”
old chairman of the power- “It’s not just the conser-
ful tax-writing House Ways vatives Paul would have
and Means Committee will to convince,” Mulvaney
have to audition for the job added. “Everybody’s in-
just like anyone else, de- terested in a new type of
spite the widespread sup- leadership.”
port he has. The turmoil comes as Con-
That suggests that the gress confronts the need to
same hard-liners who raise the federal borrowing
pushed current Speaker limit by early November
John Boehner to announce or risk a market-shattering
his resignation and scared default, and delicate talks
off his heir apparent, Major- are under way to come
ity Leader Kevin McCarthy up with a budget deal to
could throw up obstacles avoid a government shut-
to Ryan, too. down in two months. The
Rep. Paul Ryan, R- Wis., arrives for a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, task of raising the debt limit chaotic Republican presi-
where Republicans were to nominate candidates to replace outgoing House Speaker John Boeh- is falling to Boehner. But he dential primary dominated
ner. After two tumultuous weeks that saw the current speaker announce his resignation and his will have to tread carefully, by candidates far afield
heir apparent abruptly pull out of the running, House Republicans are in disarray as they confront given Republican objec- from the political estab-
a leadership vacuum. tions to an increase without lishment such as billionaire
concessions from President Donald Trump, as Republi-
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Barack Obama — some- can voters push for action,
thing the White House is rul- change and confrontation
ing out. with Obama.
Rep. Thomas Massie, one of It may be difficult for any
the Republican rebels, said House speaker to sat-
he would consider forcing isfy those demands, with
a vote to push Boehner Obama still in the White
out of the speaker’s chair House and minority Demo-
if Boehner engages in “ne- crats in the Senate using
farious activity.” Massie that chamber’s procedural
defined that as “running rules to bottle-up legislation
the tables” on legislation passed by the majority-rule
not supported by a major- House.
ity of Republicans. Boehner For Ryan, who may harbor
has suggested he wants to presidential ambitions, the
“clean the barn” before job is unlikely to be the best
leaving Congress so his stepping-stone. Only four
successor does not have a speakers or former speak-
lot of unfinished business. ers captured their parties’
But Massie said he doesn’t presidential nominations,
draw a “red line” at the and just one won the White
debt limit. The unrest in House — former Speaker
Congress coincides with a James Polk in 1844.q
