Democratic centrists are pushing to support McHenry as House speaker pro tempore

In a letter to House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (RNC), obtained by the Hill, Democrats said they support a temporary extension of his authority that would allow the chamber to take up emergency bills, including government funding. and foreign aid.

“In light of our nation’s pressing issues, the government shutdown, and attacks on our key ally, Israel, we strongly support an immediate vote to extend the Speaker’s temporary authority to everyone. pressing issues,” the letter said.

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Susie Lee (D-Nev.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) suggested Congress expand the interim speaker’s powers in 15-day increments. A new speaker was elected. All four authors are the heads of the Bilateral Problem Solving Group.

They said McHenry should bring up the House’s proposed legislation that covers only specific areas.

The committee recommends that McHenry could introduce foreign aid and emergency funding for Ukraine and Israel, an extension of the current continuing resolution until Jan. 11 and a government shutdown, and consideration of remaining appropriations bills.

The letter states that the Speaker should give the pro tempore the ability to introduce suspension bills that are equally distributed between the majority and minority caucuses. “This will help avoid the rules committee stage,” they said.

The letter is intended to resume proceedings in a House that has reached the 10th day without a Speaker. Members have discussed ways to hand McHenry temporary power, but have faced opposition from conservatives.

Speaker Steve Scalise (R-La.) quit Thursday after failing to garner enough support from GOP members. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) became the new nominee in a closed-door vote on Friday.

The deadline for the next government spending is November 17, but unless the Speaker is elected, the House cannot vote on the spending plan.

“The government cannot continue to stand idly by — putting American families, our economy and the nation’s security at risk,” the letter said. “We hope you will agree that the business of the House of Representatives should be resumed without delay.”