Playbook: “Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel this weekend has prompted a wave of speculation about whether the House is capable of responding — including whether Acting Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry needs to be given more authority to move legislation… Many House Republicans are hoping the tragedy provides a rally-around-the-flag moment for the party.”
Said one senior GOP aide: “Our hope is that this whole situation would be clarifying for our membership, that we need to get our shit together and elect a new speaker. Because stuff like this can happen … and we’re rudderless and leaderless.”
“The current morass is also posing a bigger question: What if there were a bona fide national emergency here in the States? McHenry, after all, was appointed under a relatively new rule instituted after the 9/11 attacks to provide continuity of government. Limiting his powers to simply running an election, some wonks are suggesting, would seem to run counter to the intent of that rule.”
ABC News: Who is interim House speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry and what can he do?
