House GOP gears up for leadership reshuffling
After their massive Election Day losses, some GOP lawmakers are inclined to fully overhaul their leadership. House Republicans will see a post-election reshuffling this week, with every senior rung of their leadership facing competition — and President Donald Trump is staying out of it. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and current Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana are vying for minority leader. Current Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Rep. August Pfluger of Texas are competing for next Congress’ GOP minority whip spot, while current Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan faces challenges from Reps. Erin Houchin of Indiana and Greg Steube of Florida. After their massive Election Day losses, some GOP lawmakers are inclined to fully overhaul their leadership. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., who’s backing Jordan, told Semafor: “I think we need to tell the American people, ‘We heard you loud and clear. You’re frustrated, and we need new leadership.’” As Republicans look for ways to claw their way out of the hole that the midterms left them in, they’ll also be deciding on a new campaign chief. Reps. Rudy Yakym of Indiana and Brian Jack of Georgia are running to chair the Nation
After their massive Election Day losses, some GOP lawmakers are inclined to fully overhaul their leadership. House Republicans will see a post-election reshuffling this week, with every senior rung of their leadership facing competition — and President Donald Trump is staying out of it. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and current Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana are vying for minority leader.
Current Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Rep. August Pfluger of Texas are competing for next Congress’ GOP minority whip spot, while current Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan faces challenges from Reps. Erin Houchin of Indiana and Greg Steube of Florida. After their massive Election Day losses, some GOP lawmakers are inclined to fully overhaul their leadership.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., who’s backing Jordan, told Semafor: “I think we need to tell the American people, ‘We heard you loud and clear. You’re frustrated, and we need new leadership.’” As Republicans look for ways to claw their way out of the hole that the midterms left them in, they’ll also be deciding on a new campaign chief. Reps.
Rudy Yakym of Indiana and Brian Jack of Georgia are running to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee. Notably, neither are seen as interested in carving out distance from Trump. Democrats will start their leadership elections next week, though Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries isn’t expected to face any serious challenges to becoming speaker. There’s not much legislative action yet in the lame-duck session, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be impeached by the House this week.
Though his conviction in the Senate is unlikely, it will be a critical moment for House Democrats to show unity heading into their takeover of the chamber. Jeffries said he was a “hard yes” on Hegseth impeachment on ABC’s This Week. With House Republicans looking for a scapegoat after their midterm losses, the impeachment vote could pick up votes on the right, too. Rep.
French Hill, R-Ark., said on CBS’ Face the Nation that he would “want to hear the debate on it, to see if it merits impeachment or some other disciplinary action or some other action by the president,” adding that he was dissatisfied with how the Iran war has been handled. House Republican leaders will also face attendance problems post-midterms that are likely to complicate prospects for any other lame-duck legislative action.