Several Republicans came out strongly against a push to temporarily give Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) more power and put the House back in operation on the chamber’s 16th day without a Speaker.
Calls to give McHenry more authority grew louder after Speaker-designate Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)fell 18 votes short of the threshold needed to become Speaker on the second vote on Wednesday.
But after Jordan said he’d support a resolution to give McHenry more authority, several Republicans including Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry (Pa.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) rejected the move and called on the conference to support Jordan.
“We made the pitch to members on the resolution as a way to lower the temperature and get back to work. … We decided that wasn’t where we’re going to go,” Jordan said, indicating he would keep running for Speaker.
Welcome to Evening Report! I’m Amee LaTour, catching you up from the afternoon and what’s coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here.
CATCH UP QUICK
Lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in the Georgia 2020 election interference case.
The Hill’s Alexander Bolton digs into the role immigration policy debates are set to play in Congress’s consideration of funding for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
State Department official Josh Paulresigned over the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Paul cited the “provision of lethal arms to Israel.”
Kennedy won’t hold up minibus after amendment negotiations with Schumer
A “minibus” package of three appropriations bill in the Senate overcame a hurdle Thursday as Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he expects to get a vote on his amendment after negotiations with Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Schumer previously called the amendment, which would allow veterans whose finances go into conservatorship to keep their firearms, a “poison pill.”
Kennedy told The Hill, “We’re going to hotline some new language. Frankly, I think it makes my amendment stronger.”
TECH
FCC moves to reinstate net neutrality rules
At the Federal Communications Commission‘s (FCC) first meeting with a Democratic majority during President Biden‘s term, commissioners voted 3-2 to begin the process of reinstating net neutrality rules adopted in 2015 and repealed during the Trump administration, The Hill’s Rebecca Klar reports.
ISRAEL-GAZA WAR
The Hill’s Elizabeth Crisp asked several experts to weigh in on President Biden‘s trip to Israel and its significance amid the Israel-Gaza war. Read their responses in The Hill’s 12:30 Report here.
The State Department on Thursday urged U.S. citizens in Lebanon “to make plans to depart as soon as possible while commercial options are still available.” On Tuesday, the department advised U.S. citizens against traveling to the country.
Greene requests Capitol Police preserve footage from House protest
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is requesting U.S. Capitol Policepreserve surveillance footage and photos, police reports and arrest records related to a protest Wednesday centered on demands for a cease-fire in Israel and Gaza.
OP-EDS IN THE HILL
“Ending the partisan Speaker of the House” — Former Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.). (Read here)
“America needs a grand strategy for outer space” — Tyler D. Bates, MS, a professional space concept developer and veteran of the United States Space Force and Air Force. (Read here)
⏲️ COUNTDOWN
21 days until the third GOP presidential primary debate.
🗓 COMING NEXT
Friday, 5 p.m. ET: NewsNation airs interviews with GOP presidential primary candidates Ron DeSantis and Asa Hutchinson from Thursday’s 2024 Presidential Forum at Winthrop University in South Carolina. (Both NewsNation and The Hill are owned by Nexstar Media Group.)
Also Friday: President Biden welcomes European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a U.S.-EU Summit.
Stay Engaged
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