There is an ongoing battle within the House Republican Conference over proposed rule changes, highlighting a troubling trend: some Republicans seem intent on enforcing loyalty through punitive measures, rather than fostering genuine unity through accountability and shared purpose.
At the center of this debate is the question of whether Speaker Mike Johnson can hold his caucus together without wielding a punitive hammer. The answer should be a resounding “yes”—and Republicans should abandon the misguided notion that they can discipline members into compliance.
In the recent negotiations, hard-line conservatives struck a tentative deal with the House GOP establishment, agreeing to raise the threshold for a “motion to vacate” (the procedure that allows members to force a vote on ousting the Speaker) from one member to nine members. In return, the…
