GOP hard-liner: Republicans ‘might as well be the Whigs’ if they strike deal to empower Speaker pro tem

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) on Wednesday suggested that if Republicans strike a deal to give acting Speaker Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) more powers, they “might as well be the Whigs” — the conservative political party from the 19^th century.

After two floor ballots, Republican nominee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has yet to secure the 217 votes necessary to be elected Speaker. With the House heading into its third day of voting, there are concerns that Jordan will continue to lose Republican support, delaying an appointment of an official speaker even longer.

Several lawmakers have considered a vote to expand McHenry’s limited powers as Speaker pro tempore amid the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas and ahead of the Nov. 17 government funding deadline.

In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Roy said if House Republicans dared to make a deal with Democrats over McHenry’s abilities, it would be in violation of tradition and norms.

“If the @HouseGOP dares cut a deal with Dems to empower a Speaker-Pro-Tem in violation of tradition & norms, & possibly the Constitution to likely pass another CE at Pelosi levels & more supplemental (not paid for) spending – including Ukraine … the GOP might as well be the Whigs,” he wrote.

In a separate post, the Texas Republican said GOP lawmakers joining with Democrats to potentially expand McHenry’s powers “not only raises constitutional concerns, but represents an unforgiveable step to coalition government & likely decimation in 2024.”

Jordan’s fellow Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson (R) posted online that it’s possible Republicans and Democrats will come up with a bipartisan solution, an idea floated by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to fast-track someone to the Speaker’s chair.

“It’s possible that today a small group of Republicans attempt to work with Democrats to build a coalition government,” Davidson said on X. “I will gladly fight alongside the @HouseGOP to do what we said we would do, but I will surrender our agenda to no one.”

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ind.) said he agreed with Davidson.

“A majority is a terrible thing to waste,” Massie posted on X. “I will not vote to join a coalition with Hakeem Jeffries. I will vote for Jim Jordan.”

The House is expected to reconvene at noon Thursday for the third round of votes.