Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has a plan to openly extort his GOP colleagues with a list of demands they must agree to before he will agree to run for Speaker of the House, according to CNN. Congressman Ryan gave them until Friday to figure out whether they would agree to his extortion or not.
What is so important to Rep. Ryan that he has the nerve to use extortion techniques on his colleagues in exchange for running for a job that no other Republican wants? Three of Congressman Ryan’s demands include, according to Politico:
- All three Republican factions – House Freedom Caucus, the moderate Tuesday Group, and the Republican Study Committee – must agree to support Rep. Ryan and his speakership.
- Republicans must consider changing some of the rules “as a team,” including the “motion to vacate the chair” rule so it’s not so easy to out a sitting speaker.
- Most importantly, Rep. Ryan refuses to let the job cut into his “family time.”
The rules change (specifically the rule to make a motion to vacate the chair) would mean the Freedom Caucus – a group of 40 radical representatives that endorses Daniel Webster (R-W. Va.) – cannot hold another House Speaker hostage, as the group did when it forced Rep. John Boehner (R-Ill.) to resign, and Rep. McCarthy (R-Calif.) to drop out from the race.
Will Freedom Caucus Agree to Rep. Ryan’s Demands?
Rep. Ryan will win the Republican Study Group and Tuesday Group’s support, but faces three issues with the Freedom Caucus, extortion or not, according to Meet the Press from Oct. 21:
- Can Rep. Ryan really do the House Speaker job with weekends off?
- Whether Rep. Ryan would try to force an Immigration Reform vote, given his views.
- Rep. Ryan’s demand to change the rules for the motion to vacate the chair.
Raul R. Labrador (R-Idaho) of the Freedom Caucus calls the change of motion to vacate rules a “nonstarter,” according to the New York Times, and CNN reports that Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) said that the Speaker of the House has to work weekends.
As an update, since we first began writing this article, we’ve now found out that the Freedom Caucus won’t endorse him, but 70 percent of their members voted in favor of his candidacy. An endorsement would have required 80 percent. Ryan seems to be OK with moving forward without a full endorsement and he’s now awaiting word from the other two caucuses.
Boehner: House speaker elex will take place at end of Oct. Ryan says he'll run if GOP factions can get behind him. https://t.co/a4EbUWb817
— NPR (@NPR) October 21, 2015
Although it’s commendable that Congressman Ryan wants to be a part of his children’s’ lives, especially considering their ages, his demands are outrageous and hypocritical.
Rep. Paul Ryan Has A Dismal Record Of Harming Families
The “Ryan Budget,” which passed the House at one point, would have destroyed the American family and working poor.
- The “Ryan Budget” would have disallowed the emergency unemployment extension again – the thirteenth time since 2008” according to On the Issues.
- The Ryan Budget would have cut $137 million from SNAP, according to the united Church of Christ,
- The Ryan Budget Would have cut $150 billion – that’s a B for Billion – from mandatory programs that Rep. Ryan never specified, but would have included SSI, SSD, and similar programs, according to the United Church of Christ.
Additionally, Rep. Ryan voted against allowing four weeks of “paid parental leave” for federal workers, reports Voter Punch. Rep. Ryan also voted “no” on increasing the minimum wage to $7.25 in 2007, according to On the Issues.
Despite the facts, Congressman Ryan demands – demands – that he keep his family time. This would be in exchange for a bump in pay the House Speaker job brings in an attempt to lead an already dysfunctional congress into even more dysfunction.
According to Think Progress, 10 Freedom Caucus members have already opposed Congressman Ryan’s demands so the group will likely not endorse him. If this is the case, than one can only hope Rep. Ryan keeps his word and stays with the Ways and Means Committee.
The Freedom Caucus will meet Wednesday night to decide whether they will support Ryan or not. Rep. Ryan doesn’t think the average American should have the same rights to spend time with their children, so why should he?
As an update, since we first began writing this article, we’ve now found out that the Freedom Caucus won’t endorse him, but 70 percent of their members voted in favor of his candidacy. An endorsement would have required 80 percent. Ryan seems to be OK with moving forward without a full endorsement and he’s now awaiting word from the other two caucuses.
