THE HILL reports this morning that House of Representatives (“House”) Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) is refusing to drop out of the race for Speaker of the House (“Speaker”) following two failed votes, with another vote likely to happen today (10/19/2023).
A handful of hard-line conservatives in the US House of Representatives (“House”) have pushed and pulled their GOP colleagues all year, starting with 15 voting sessions to elect former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), subsequently ousting former Speaker McCarthy, then blocking the first nomination of Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to replace McCarthy, and now, pushing hard to elect Congressman Jim Jordan as Speaker.
***NOTE: As a matter of BREAKING NEWS, FGGAM just learned that Congressman Jordan has announced that a third vote planned for today (10/19/2023) has been cancelled and that he now supports empowering Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry until January 2024.***
The House has splintered into factions and infighting – with some GOP House members actively considering a plan to work with Democrats or to seek emergency authority to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC). In fact, House Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) told THE HILL yesterday that she had received “credible death threats” after defecting from Jordan.
The THE HILL‘s report may be read HERE.
DISCLAIMER: The following includes political commentary.
My brothers and sisters, several moderate/mainstream or if you prefer, “establishment” Republicans have so far refused to back Jordan, hearkening back to McCarthy and Scalise as better candidates – with some even considering a move to work with Democrats or seek emergency authority to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry.
This entire situation is emblematic, in part, as to why this writer became an independent voter many years ago. It would be very easy to cloud the issue by getting lost in the minutia of it all, but simply put, there has been a continuing dysfunction in the GOP for a long while.
Like many in the US Senate, the “old guard” of the House – not to diminish or negate past achievements – seems to be more concerned with decorum, the perception of statesmanship, and avoiding any and all confrontation. In fact, it seems, as political commentary in the past has suggested, that the GOP members almost relish the idea of being a “victim” and enjoy not having to do the heavy lifting under the cover of simultaneously blaming the Democrats for all of their and the world’s problems!
Change often involves some level of pain. This doesn’t mean that the status quo is always preferable – it’s just easier – and change might impact a career-minded politician’s next election or campaign funding. If there was ever a case to be made for term limits, the US Congress is a shining example.
It seems that taking any action beyond talking about an issue, such as: 1) trying to change gross overspending or unnecessary spending; 2) protecting the integrity of our borders; 3) assuring a strong and effective military that is capable of not only fighting but winning simultaneous regional conflicts and establishing a top-tier deterrent to our enemies; 4) proudly promoting America-first policies such as energy independence, and industrial and manufacturing leadership (which in their implementation become a blessing to the rest of the world); 5) encouraging true bipartisanship that flows FROM successful governance (not in spite of it); and 6) proudly accepting the position of our founding fathers that the Christian faith – while not mandated, is a blessing of God in our lives and upon the country; is apparently just too much to ask or expect!
For its part, the Democratic Party has consistently had the ability to manage its internal differences and still come together in the end – for better or worse. Given the often non-patriotic and sometimes biblically-contradicting policies of the Democratic Party (not that the GOP or any party should be considered an arm or direct representative of the church), it would be wise for the GOP to put away some of its pride, lack of fortitude and self-seeking, and to seek unity in God’s wisdom. After all, the world right now is in significant turmoil with WWII-minded Russian President Vladimir Putin attacking Ukraine, with the entire Middle East at risk due to Hamas / Hezbollah / Iranian attacks on Israel, and considering that the United States is still trying to recover economically (and otherwise) from our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s continue to pray for God’s wisdom, blessing and protection upon the United States and its leaders – elected and otherwise. May the love, wisdom and peace of God transcend the angst, pride and spiritual deception running amok in the US Congress.
Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, [b]ut the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
“Pride goes before destruction, [a]nd a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Romans 12:3 (Amplified Bible)
“For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].”
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (NKJV)
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness…’”.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”.
Praise Jesus forevermore!
