CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS – CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS
Aug. 1, 2011 – 10:43 p.m.
Debt Debate Exposes Possible Strains in House Republican Leadership
By Richard E. Cohen, CQ Staff Writer
The House’s deceptively easy passage of the debt deal Monday was an unmistakable win for Speaker
Boehner set the framework for the debate in a May speech, insisting that a hike in the debt ceiling be linked to spending cuts. He shaped the broad legislative details as well as a last-minute deal, and he secured the votes for passage.
Still, it is unclear what price Boehner might pay — both in the national debate and in the more parochial House politics — for becoming so closely identified with the debt battle.
Public disgust over the debt negotiations will not redound to the benefit of Boehner’s team, and is likely to provide Democrats an opening to exploit until the next election. In an Aug. 1 survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and The Washington Post, three-quarters of respondents described the debate as ridiculous, disgusting, stupid and frustrating, and those views were almost evenly held throughout partisan and ideological lines.
In the House, the debate exposed tensions and conflicting operating styles within the GOP leadership team. And communications breakdowns, internal dissension and second-guessing of Boehner, R-Ohio, flared during the debate.
House conservatives pushed Boehner and his two top lieutenants — Majority Leader
Nearly three-fourths of the 240 Republicans voted for the bill (
Rebellious conservatives openly disagreed with his approach at several turns, and that tension could test the allegiances of some on the GOP leadership team.
Conflicts Exposed
Republican leaders and their top aides have dismissed frequent reports of conflicts within the leadership as little more than differences of style. But several Republicans, who declined to be identified, said the lengthy debate has revealed notable differences and tensions among the GOP leaders.
During a July 27 leadership discussion about how to secure the votes to pass Boehner’s earlier proposal (
Cantor in particular argued for a more aggressive approach, a position no doubt impressed upon him when he served in the leadership with Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who was fond of high-pressure tactics. But Boehner called for a more conciliatory approach to allow those undecided or opposed to be gently coaxed to support the bill.
Overall, the debate elevated Cantor’s stature as much as it put strains on his relationship with Boehner. Cantor’s insistence during White House talks with Obama that a final deal include no tax hikes largely sidelined Boehner’s attempt to reach a more sweeping deficit reduction package with the president.
Debt Debate Exposes Possible Strains in House Republican Leadership
The critical question of whether to plow ahead with last week’s vote — while knowing that the necessary votes were not yet assured — or to wait and work the conference, created what one senior GOP leadership aide called “a gray area” for party leaders.
At the time, McCarthy did not communicate to other senior Republicans the severity of the challenge based on his own count of the votes, a Republican aide said. Publicly, Republican leaders had been saying the House would pass the bill.
McCarthy allies said he did what he always does on a significant and tough vote, and that he was careful to tamp down expectations. “We don’t air problems with the whip count,” said a senior McCarthy aide. “The leaders were not surprised.”
McCarthy’s practice of keeping to himself intelligence about the leanings of rank-and-file Republicans has produced mixed results, though the new majority has won the votes that have mattered.
“Our entire leadership team knew exactly where we were in terms of votes from our whip,
Although McCarthy has largely supported Boehner, he was guarded when asked about criticism of the Speaker during a July 31 interview on “Fox News Sunday.” “There is grumbling throughout this country” because of economic problems,” McCarthy said. “Sometimes when you lead, you get shot at.”
Boehner Owned Debt Debate
One example of Boehner’s intense involvement in negotiating the deal and securing Monday’s vote came when he stepped in to resolve a backlash from conservatives and defense hawks opposed to a backup provision in the bill that would make roughly half of its $1.5 trillion in savings at the expense of the Pentagon and other security programs.
In several phone calls July 31 with Vice President
Boehner’s role has prompted another round of heightened uncertainty among political rivals about whether he can lead the House.
Even with the internal House and party tensions, Boehner ally
As exhausted House members left town for the August recess Monday, Boehner allies said he scored a major legislative accomplishment of at least $3 trillion in debt reduction.