As Republicans struggle to find a House speaker who they can mostly all agree on, one Democrat has put out a plan that would secure funding for Ukraine and Israel, as well as temporarily block a shutdown.
Wiley Nickel, who defeated Donald Trump-endorsed former North Carolina State University football player Bo Hines, stuck his neck out on Saturday to make a suggestion that would secure key funding goals for the Democrats instead of relying on far-right Republicans who have a stranglehold over their entire conference.
The move comes as Republicans appear to be at a stalemate in choosing a new House leader. The GOP has nominated two individuals already, but neither of them reportedly have the votes to win it.
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Nickel (NC-13), a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition, suggested giving temporary power to Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry in exchange for guaranteed funding concessions.
“Congress is rudderless without a duly-elected Speaker of the House and we can't wait any longer for Republicans to get their House in order,” Nickel said in a statement. “I support this proposal to grant Speaker Pro Tempore McHenry with temporary, expanded authority so Congress can support our allies in Israel and Ukraine, extend the current short-term government funding while full-year spending bills are worked out, and pass bipartisan suspension bills on the House floor.”
