U.S. House Republicans continue searching for their next Speaker amid a very public family fight. The battle to succeed John Boehner is between established caucus members, who occasionally compromise with Democrats, and those who refuse all cooperation across the aisle.
This feud could've resulted in another government shutdown over federal funding for Planned Parenthood. But observers say Boehner's resignation put off any talk of a shutdown for now.
While the Speaker search continues, we'd like to remind you that two of the contenders represent voters in the WNIJ listening area.
One of them is Paul Ryan, from Wisconsin, who represents listeners in Janesville, Whitewater and Lake Geneva. Ryan ran with Mitt Romney in 2012 as his party's vice presidential candidate. Today he chairs the Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax law.
"He's in a very good position," says Matt Streb, chair of thepolitical science department at Northern Illinois University.
"Ways and Means is one of the most powerful committees," Streb says, adding that Ryan seems pretty happy with that job. According to Streb, Ryan would face "a number of headaches" if he became Speaker.
Much of the friction comes from the Freedom Caucus, a group of the most conservative members. Their pick for Speaker is Daniel Webster of Florida. But he faces trouble at home after the state Supreme Court ordered the redrawing of Congressional districts. The ruling could turn Webster's Republican-leaning 10th District into one that favors Democrats.
"It's unclear whether Webster can even win re-election," Streb says.
So if Ryan says No, and Webster isn't a realistic choice, who does that leave? Many experts suggest Peter Roskamfrom Illinois could be the answer. Roskam represents Wheaton, West Dundee, Cary and other communities in the 6th District. He's also the Chief Deputy Whip, or Number 4 in the leadership.
A recent article in National Review suggests Roskam could be another "accidental Speaker," like Dennis Hastert in the late 1990s.
Many experts say Roskam's stock rises each day that Ryan doesn't take the job. Streb notes Roskam ran for the Number 3 position, Majority Whip, last year and lost to Steve Scalise. Streb says Roskam was perceived at the time as "too moderate" by many members.
That changed recently when Roskam became more critical of John Boehner which, according to Streb, seems to be helping Roskam with hard-liners. "There are some who say he's a good candidate," Streb says. "Maybe even more so than Ryan."
According to Streb, Roskam is the one candidate who could get support from the Freedom Caucus and establishment Republicans. It's worth noting that the conservative group Heritage Action gives Roskam a 63% overall rating, compared to the House average of 67%. The group gives Ryan 55%.
Of course Boehner could serve out his term, win re-election next year and continue as Speaker. But Streb is pretty sure Boehner has had enough.
"There are a lot of headaches that go with being Speaker," Streb says. "I'm not sure I'd want to be Speaker right now."
