Dispatches from the Capitol via our reporters and others’ indicate a steady stream of Republican Members of Congress — who are already announced “No” votes on the Boehner plan — being summoned to the Speaker’s office.
On his way in to the Speaker’s office, Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX) — a strong “No” vote — said he had been called to the principal’s office. On the way out, Gohmert said he was still a “bloody, beaten down no.”
And so it goes as the House leadership tries to wrangle enough votes.
It’s reminiscent of the Part D Medicare prescription drug vote back during the Bush days, when the House vote was kept open for hours while leadership cajoled, threatened and bartered to get it passed. But this time they’ve held off on starting the vote until they know they have enough Members on board to pass it.
The way this is playing out, it’s not an overstatement to say Boehner’s speakership is on the line here.
David Kurtz
David Kurtz is Managing Editor and Washington Bureau Chief of Talking Points Memo where he oversees the news operations of TPM and its sister sites.