- Rep. Adam Kinzinger stated that the House Republicans will have “totally dysfunctional majority” in 2023.
- Kinzinger stated that McCarthy would struggle to overcome a narrow GOP edge on Charlie Sykes’ Bulwark podcast.
- “Kevin will likely be the equivalent to the dog that caught the car,” said the congressman.
Republicans have clinched a majority at the US House of Representatives this week, claiming their 218th place in the 435 member body. They also won the lower chamber of the Democratic Party’s lower chamber more than a week following the midterm elections.
However, despite their House majority, the GOP will still have a slim edge with the party Currently holdingWith only a few races remaining to call, the advantage is 219-211
And according to GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois — a prominent member of the House January 6 committee who’s retiring at the end of the current Congress — the party will have a “totally nonfunctional majority” once the new session convenes in January 2023.
Kinzinger, Who spoke on Charlie Sykes’ Bulwark podcastThe internal dynamics within the GOP caucus and the difficulties that Kevin McCarthy, the California Minority Leader, faces in obtaining the 218 votes necessary to become the speaker on the House floor. Democrats need to be strategic to avoid McCarthy becoming the speaker.
“When there is a 15, 20, person majority, it takes many people to deny the Speaker his votes. But when it’s just like three, four, five you can find it – which is why I think the Democrats need to be really thinking about, and thinking about working people like AOC and some of those that are never going to vote for a Republican — find a Republican that is agreeable, try to find a couple of Republicans that are in elected office, and then vote for that person for Speaker,” he said.
Kinzinger, who was first elected in 2010 and was formerly close to McCarthy, slammed his onetime friend who is navigating a delicate situation of trying to appease far-right, mainstream conservative, and moderate members of his caucus with a thin majority — a tough prospect for any Republican lawmaker in leadership.
Kinzinger laughed, saying “This could not happen to a nicer man.” Kevin McCarthy was once a great friend of mine. He’s been the greatest disappointment in my life.”
Then, he went on to criticize Rep. Elise Stefanik from New York who took over as chair of the House Republican Conference after Liz Cheney repeatedly spoke out against ex-President Donald Trump’s false election claims and his role in January 6, 2021.
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Let’s take a look at Elise Stefanik. I believe she is thinking, “Ok, Kevin can go down, I will be the next speaker.” In spite of the absence of a red-wave, she immediately tweets her endorsement of Donald Trump. How pathetic is that? What is the point? He said.
“Here’s how the caucus works. Yes Andy Biggs [of Arizona]He continued, “I am going to run against Kevin, which is meaningless since Kevin will get the majority of caucus.” Let’s say they have 220 people. He’ll need 111. This will get him to 218. Now the question is, can you get to 218 from the floor? Because that’s all you’ll need.
“That’s where power can be extracted. Marjorie Taylor Greene is so supportive of Kevin. She doesn’t like Kevin. He has promised her something. I can guarantee it. Why is Matt Gaetz so against Marjorie Taylor Greene It’s possible that Kevin McCarthy has not promised him anything. Secondarily, he wants Marjorie Taylor Greene to be more famous,” he said.
“Each person now holds the power to be a senator.”
Kinzinger then denigrated the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus, calling it the “Freedom Club.” He said that their ideology was “never principle-based,” but is rooted in fame and success.
The Illinois congressman reiterated that McCarthy — if he becomes speaker — will have his hands full as members in a 220-or-221-member GOP caucus will effectively have veto power over most legislation.
“It’s a totally nonfunctional majority because — I’ve lived this — where [Republicans]Want to defund Obamacare. “Well, we don’t defund it enough.” Or, if we just want to pass the budget, then we must defund Obamacare. There are 10 Republicans who will vote ‘no on a conservative bill. We don’t have enough people for it to be done. “If you’re only down to one or two persons, each person now has power as a senator,” he stated.
He said, “It will not be a functional majority, and Kevin may be the equivalent to the dog who caught a car,” he continued.
Kinzinger stated that while past GOP speakers were able to pass legislation with remarkable skill, they still struggled in getting votes on key issues despite having larger caucuses.
“[John]Boehner was an expert at cutting deals. He was a failure. Paul Ryan knew policy. He was a good, moderate guy. The congressman stated that he struggled. “Kevin McCarthy is going through trouble.”
