After Kevin McCarthy failed to win 218 votes after a fourth round of voting some Republicans are looking for a way out of the messy battle for House Speaker.
Retired Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is leaving the door open to the possibility that he could emerge as an alternative to GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) to lead the chamber.
Despite his past aversion to the subject, The Detroit News reported Tuesday that the veteran lawmaker is interested in running for the gavel if it means putting “an end to the dysfunction that is doing so much damage to the country.”
Upton called the suggestion that he's the person who could break the logjam “an intriguing suggestion that I have not rejected,” according to The Hill.
But Upton seems ready to offer Democrats concessions in exchange for their support. The Detroit News reported Upton is prepared to offer equal representation for Republicans and Democrats on all House committees, in a bid to incentivize Democratic support.
After McCarthy failed to secure the votes needed to win the Speakership following three rounds of voting, some Republicans pondered whether Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) could step in as the alternative. But Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) cast doubt that Scalise could win the race, instead floating Upton as another possible avenue.
Rep. Upton was amongst the Republican lawmakers to vote to impeach former President Trump after the Jan. 6th Capitol riot.
Some Democrat lawmakers have signaled an interest in a “unity candidate” but have noted the compromise would come with serious concessions.
“I mean, hey, if we could get some chairs,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez said to reporters following a Democratic caucus meeting Wednesday afternoon.
“I think a McCarthy speakership would require him to reach out to Democrats. In speaking with some folks in his party yesterday, the opposition there is very personal, very entrenched,” the congresswoman said.
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The democrats are still in control because we have to many rinos to accomplish any real change.
Led by McConnell is the Senate! And with the bickering in the House – it shows the Party is more divided than ever & if it keeps up, a Democrat is going to end up Speaker! They need to realize the damage they are doing to our Country. As well as realize that Americans are fed up with them! Scalise is my choice or Jordan not Biggs, Upton or a deal with the Democrats!
This is not, & should not be made, about “party”; it’s about what’s best for America! How do you not get that??? Scalise would be good, so would Biggs; he ran the AZ state House before running for Congress, & got a lot of GOOD things done there! Jordan doesn’t want it, & should stay head of his committee, where he can do the most good now.
Makes me wonder what kind of review this American Liberty bunch gives these comments. Seems like their in on these “commercials” about making millions of dollars a week working on your computer at home. Jeeeesh! Enough is enough.
Fred Upton as Speaker? Hahahahahahahahahaha!
All I needed to know was that he would offer Dems EQUAL Representation on all committees. Smells like a Rino to me, What Dem speaker would offer anything close to that to a Republican?? Good Grief.
We need Newt Gingrich
Really do you think we need Newt? Let us remember that “good ol” Newt while minority leader helped push through NAFTA, through strong arm tactics, that led to 60,000 companies to move out of the U.S. or shut down. In 1995 after being elected by the house as Speaker he pushed through the WTO all this while conspiring with Bill Clinton and the Dems. He fervently endorsed Mitt Romney and was a cohort of Dick Cheney and McCain. He led the Contract with America campaign that led to a Republican majority in the House and the Senate and then did exactly nothing they promised and usually let Bill Clinton have his way instead of representing the people that put them in office. He is universally thought of as the man that gave us the division in Congress that has expounded to the entire country, he gave us political weaponization of government agencies and would not investigate crimes that government agencies committed. He resigned from the Speakership for ethics violations and then from his seat in Congress to keep from being censured by Congress. This is just off the top of my head, I could write more if I researched. You need to read your history and stop listening to TV. More people dropped Hannity when he started using Newt as a guest and commentator than any other time. Newt is the definition of the swamp and he should go away, it would be better for all of us.
AOC says if they can get some committee Chairs? If that happens ,Then I’m personally finished voting for Republicans ( Definitely not Democrat)
Then Who or What? A True Constitutionalist or an Independent.
One disastrous nomination after another.
Fred Upton has been in politics so long with no achievements to speak of.
What about Marjorie Taylor Greene or Ted Cruz.
The circus going in the GOP has media amused. Jo Biden being sarcastic.
It also displays an unpreparedness on the part of the GOP to handle a situation with the readiness required of them. The nation is falling apart under the current administration. The GOP should show more responsibility when it comes to taking back the country and stopping the rot already in progress.
Ted Cruz is a SENATOR!
uh. . .no.
We certainly don’t need Upton Rino as speaker. It’s bad enough to have Rino McCarthy.
He’s got to be kidding, Right? If not he’s out of what’s left of his mind.
Fred Upton is part of the dysfunction that is doing so much damage to the country.
Go for Donald as speaker
Upron’s a Slimeball RINO.
Another fking Rino. It’s no wonder there was no red wave. These idiots are acting like bunch of 2nd graders. If you’re a never Trumper, after all he accomplished in one term, you don’t deserve to live in this country, much less be speaker.
If you cannot HONESTLY look at what Trump did, YOU are as much a danger to AMERICA as the Dems & RINOs! He did as much harm as good. USMCA, “Warp Speed”, disastrous appointments,etc wer NOT “good” in any way. He did better than I expected, but is political kryptonite now, & always was a lousy judge of character.
Upton sounds like he’d be a pawn in the hands of the corrupt DC Dem leaders. He is ready to give concessions to the Dems? After the last 16 years of the swamp laced throughout the DOJ, FBI, CIA, DHS, and every agency in DC government? No, Upton won’t do at all.
This RINO need to keep his ose or of it; he”s retired!
REP Fred Upton whose is retired, but rethinking coming back for the Speaker position, sounds like finally a Rep. with a brain, who is willing to Work for the People and bring back the Republican Party to do what they were elected to do, work for our country and it’s people. Not looking for Fame, and money or standing with the TRUMP CULT.
Why doesn’t someone nominate Trump?
He could do more damage to the corrupt Democrats and the Establishment Elite than anyone else.
We finally get a House majority and what do we have? A logjam from our own republicans…Nancy and all the Dems are laughing their heads off. Don’t tell me that 200plus Republicans can’t get 5 holdouts to come around, how the hell do they expect to represent their people. Stop acting loke children, if you can’t vote for McCarthy, then find one you can vote for, and I don’t mean Upton.