Democrats May Facilitate Emmer Speaker Bid If He Wins Nomination

The House Republican conference will today conduct a third internal vote to select a Speaker nominee. Of the eight speaker candidates, four are considered genuine contenders for the job: Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), Freedom Caucus member Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Vice Conference Chair Mike Johnson (R-LA), and Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-OK).

• Whomever wins the nomination will face the same ‘math problem’ which sunk the bids of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH): Getting 217 votes on the House floor from a fractured conference.
• With the time crunch from a looming government shutdown, and political will to move legislation on Ukraine and Israel, Democrats are expected to take an active roll this week. They could do this by voting in favour of a GOP nominee, voting present, or sitting out the vote, when the nominee is brought to the floor.
• Emmer, who voted to certify the 2020 election, appears the most palatable option for Democrats.
• Rep Den Phillips (D-MN) posted on X a short time ago: "I would sit-out the Speaker vote if Tom Emmer will fund our government at negotiated levels, bring Ukraine and Israel aid bills to the floor, and commit to rules changes..."
• Emmer's nomination is far from assured and if the internal vote looks set to again deliver gridlock on the House floor it is likely the option of empowering Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) will be given a second look.