McCarthy weighs rule changes to win support for speakership

After six failed votes to become House Speaker, Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy considered making rule changes Wednesday night as concessions to the group of 20 Republicans blocking his path. McCarthy needs 218 votes to become Speaker and can only afford to lose four Republican ballots. The negotiations are not final and subject to change.

What would his concessions change? If adopted, the House rules in the 118th Congress would strip influence away from the Speakership. While the Speaker would retain substantial say over the legislative process, the considered changes would make it easier for Republicans to depose the Speaker and influence the makeup of the powerful Rules Committee. The proposed rule changes would also raise the question of term limits, and open spending legislation up to more amendments.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s reporting on why some conservatives are demanding a change in House leadership.