Washington Weekly - October 12, 2023

Finding a Speaker: On Wednesday and as of this early Thursday morning update of this column, Republicans nominated Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise to be the next House speaker, but struggled to unify and elect him in a public floor vote coming on the heels of the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA) from the position.

In a private ballot at the Capitol, Scalise edged Ohio Rep. and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan in favor of Scalise, the current majority leader.

A floor vote of the entire House was expected, but then abandoned by nightfall Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.

This development comes on the heels of House Republicans being locked in a contentious debate over who will lead their conference. After the motion to vacate the chair passed last week that removed McCarthy from power, Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) was appointed and immediately called the House into recess until this week. 

Unknown to many, McHenry ascended to his position due to a rule instituted after 9/11 to ensure continuity in government.  What was being debated is whether he has the full powers of the Speakership or if he is only a caretaker to oversee the election of a new Speaker.  Most saw that he was able to exercise the powers of his predecessors when he ordered former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to vacate their Capitol hideaway offices with near-immediate effect.

The Race to Succeed: As expected, several names were circulated from Republican leadership for the vacated position, as well as that of former President Donald Trump. By the end of last week, two names quickly emerged – Majority Leader Scalise (R-LA) and Jordan (R-OH), with former President Trump endorsing the latter.   

After pledging not to run again (and possibly resigning his seat in Congress), former Speaker McCarthy changed course over the weekend and said he would accept if it was “what the Conference wants.”

Until new leadership is chosen, most (if not all) legislative activity is on hold, although conversations continue in the background.  

ASA Federal Action:      

Water Heater NOPR: Recently, ASA filed comments with the Department of Energy, pertaining to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Consumer Water Heaters.  This will be an ongoing process with a potential implementation date of Jan. 1, 2029. 

DOL Overtime Rulemaking: ASA joined 100 other business organizations in asking the Department of Labor for additional time in responding to its NOPR for employee overtime.  As a result, DOL agreed to extend the comment period representing a victory for a cross-section of industries that would be affected by this new proposed rule. 

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 40% Approve – 55% Disapprove.

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Republicans 1.0%. The House currently has a composition of 221 Republicans to 212 Democrats (2 Vacancies). The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. Special Elections: Democratic: (RI-1 - General: 11/7/2023).  Republican: UT-2 - General: 11/21/2023. Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2) resigned on September 15, 2023.