The House of Representatives passed a controversial set of rules that some at the convention criticized as a concession to the party’s far right.
The rules package passed by a near-exclusive party vote, with 220 Republicans voting in favor and only Republican Representative Tony Gonzalez voting against the package. All 212 Democrats voted against the rules package.
Gonzales of Texas had announced he would vote against her on Friday, amid a row within the Republican Party over concessions to right-wingers who opposed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s candidacy.
But Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who voted for McCarthy before his name was put forward for the nomination, said the package puts power back in the hands of members.
“Our set of rules is the most transformative set of rules this place has seen in some time,” he said. “And I think that’s a really good thing and I expect to assume that’s a unanimous pass.”
Donalds said he’s heard whispers from Democrats saying they would love parts of the rules package.
“These rules will help every member, regardless of their party or where they come from in a country,” he told reporters.
Rep. Lorraine Boebert of Colorado, who voted “present” for McCarthy’s presidency, praised the set of rules.
“These rules will help every member, regardless of their party or where they come from in a country,” she said. The Independent.
But Rep. Nancy Mays of South Carolina said that while she would vote for her, she feared giving too much to insurgent Republicans.
“If we mean the far left should fall back on deals and secrecy when in power, we shouldn’t,” she said. And I asked the question, well, what are we negotiating here? »
Specifically, Ms Mace noted that in the latest set of rules released on Friday, the only change was to lower the threshold for a motion to leave the chair, which would allow a vote of no confidence in the speaker.
She said: So what did we do for four days? “What else was negotiated?” »
