Emmer Set On Achieving Internal Support Before Attempting Speaker Vote

Melanie Zanona at CNN reports that Republican speaker nominee Tom Emmer (R-MN), "wants to keep having roll call votes behind closed-doors until he get 217."

• Zanona: "And [Emmer] wants to keep fielding questions and concerns from members in there. But if Emmer can’t get there, Joyce willing to push resolution to empower interim speaker McHenry."
• As it stands, Emmer is a long way from the requisite 217 votes. CNN's Manu Raju reports, according to Rep Brandon Williams (R-TX), “There were 26 that either voted present or voted for another candidate...”
• Reminder: Emmer can only lose four GOP votes in a full House rollcall for speaker, assuming all voting members are present, without having to relay on support from Democrats.
• Such a move would be politically difficult for Emmer and would lead to a destablised House without a coherent governing majority.
• Working with Democrats would also entail risk for Emmer and could lead to blowback from the conservative wing of the Republican party.
• Joyce's resolution to empower McHenry was struck down by Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) amid pressure from conservatives last week. It will be given a closer look if another period of gridlock appears likely. Democrats and moderate Republicans both support the McHenry resolution.