The recent resignation of John Boehner as Speaker of the House has, of course, set-off a leadership race that has been and will be most interesting to watch. On Thursday October 8, 2015, the Republican Caucus planned to vote before McCarthy abruptly dropped out. It now appears the vote will be in the House Floor on October 29, 2015 without a Caucus vote. Stay tuned.
It does not appear that there is much, if any, interest in putting a person in place like Tip O’Neill, Newt Gingrich or Nancy Pelosi to work with the President of the opposite party. John Boehner was unable to lead, not for lack of desire, but rather because he was surrounded by a vocal minority who have no intention of compromising nor of legislating. Representative Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania has courageously spoken out stating “they (the Right) can’t get to yes”.
The issues with which the far right are concerned are not illegitimate in of themselves and need to part of the solutions that we embrace. The question is the methodology, and the clear belief of absolute correctness that is problematic. Reducing the debt, the deficit focusing on national defense, all are legitimate, but they will also require compromise as there are other legitimate priorities – infrastructure, education, and health research to name a few.
It has been forgotten that Presidents’ need strong leadership in Congress in order to enact meaningful legislation which likely means “compromise legislation”. The actions of Tip O’Neill, Newt Gingrich and Nancy Pelosi demonstrated an understanding of what it is to govern. The country is clearly divided as Presidential elections are regularly decided by a few percentage points. Compromise is appropriate since all of us are entitled to a voice in governing.
Issues like the debt ceiling, the Export-Import Bank, the Highway bill, and the next continuing Resolution due on December 11th present the opportunity for the new Speaker to follow earlier speakers and govern or be as disruptive as possible. Unfortunately, I think if they chose the first course, the likelihood for another revolt increases geometrically.
Business groups in the last several elections spent millions to secure a GOP majority in Congress. This is a classic case of “you may get what you wish for.” Business does not want a government shut-down, recognize the need to raise the debt ceiling, to pass a meaningful highway bill, reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and pass a long term spending plan because they understand resolution of these issues are good for business. The Export-Import Bank poses a particularly ironic twist when you have companies like Boeing and GE saying that they will produce outside the US (in GE’s case - Canada) because of the lack of access to the Export-Import Bank financing. Would it be fair to say Republicans are shipping jobs overseas. Mr. Boehner received praise from the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturing, both of whom recognize that they must depend upon a rational government operations rather than the histrionics created by the far right.
As much as I would like to see a Tip, Newt or Nancy in the role of Speaker, I doubt that we will be blessed with such rational behavior.
This article was published in The Hill on October 9th, 2015.
Mr. Owens is a former member of Congress representing the New York 23rd, a strategic advisor at Dentons out of its Washington, DC, office, and a partner in the firm of Stafford, Owens, Piller, Murnane, Kelleher & Trombley, PLLC, in Plattsburgh, New York.
The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.