A Bridge Too Far ?

(A Bridge Too Far ?)

CLEAR WITH THE HOSTAGES ?

Cornelius Ryan penned two books about the Second World War, both of which were made into major motion pictures.  The Longest Day, which told the story of the Normandy landings and A Bridge Too Far, about Operation MARKET GARDEN, the attempted airborne and armor thrust developed by British General Montgomery that ultimately failed. It was the effort to seize the Rhine Bridge at Arnhem, Holland, the so-called "bridge too far." The British division lost 8,000 men its attempted capture and the armored corps relief force was stalled some miles away.

Now, after a series of concessions on House Rules for the 118th Congress, mostly to the conservative "Freedom Caucus." This portion of the House GOP Conference is considered the most right of center and Congressman McCarthy needs their support to secure the Gaval and, as of today, such a path to election could be revealed. Now, of all the concessions Mr. McCarthy is making, how much of the balance of the rest of the House Majority will feel alienated themselves ?

It is the age-old problem. Kevin McCarthy, and indeed every previous Speaker, has to lead their Party despite the widespread differences in ideology. What has been different this time is that the narrow Caucus is imposing their will on the rest of the House, as has been the issue over the last few days when the situation was akin to holding McCarthy "hostage." If the logjam is breaking, and the House can get to business.

And, truth be told, these conservative insurgents have a point. If there was any crystalizing event that so galvanized McCarthy's opposition it would be that $1.7 trillion omnibus that came out of the Senate, with Senate Republican help. A demand that McCarthy acceded to was the return to "regular order," how the Chamber used to operate. Whatever the House Republicans agenda over the next year will be accomplished under regular order.

That being said, however. Congressman McCarthy is ostensibly Speaker for the whole Institution, which includes non-Freedom Caucus members and even the other side of the Aisle and the McCarthy's House will have to inter-act with Schumer's Senate. And, if reports of McCarthy concessions are true, he could be deposed as Speaker on the word from a single Member. 

Has the baby been thrown out with the bathwater ? Did the Speaker-designate promise too much to the House conservatives to the point where he cannot function ? What will happen when he might need to work with Democrats ? Would that necessarily trigger a Sense of the House motion ?

Over the next few hours Keven McCarthy could well be elected Speaker. But if there was ever a pound of flesh exacted, the California Congressman had been put on an extreme diet.