House Republicans unveiled on Wednesday a rules package for the 119th Congress that, if adopted, would make it more difficult to cast out a speaker for at least the next two years.
Lawmakers in the lower chamber are slated to consider the measure on Friday after the House votes on the speakership. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) is running to keep the gavel and has been “working the phones” over the Christmas break while some members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus have been searching for an alternative pick or discussing possible concessions from the current speaker, according to Punchbowl News.
Near the top of the 36-page rules package is a provision requiring nine majority party members to initiate a privileged “motion to vacate” the speaker of the House. That would be a sizable increase from the current threshold of one member who could force a no-confidence vote that…
