According to reports, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) is leading a charge to make an unprecedented move to work with his counterparts on the other side of the aisle to elect a new House Speaker.
Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from the post after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) successfully pushed his motion to vacate. That left a void the House GOP has been unable to fill in the days since.
Rogers told reporters last week that House Republicans may be forced to broker a deal with their Democrat colleagues because, assuming Democrats remain united, Republicans can only afford to lose four votes.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has signaled a willingness to form a coalition with so-called moderate Republicans. Jeffries called on those potential Republicans to break with "MAGA extremism" to create the bipartisan coalition in a recent Washington Post oped.
According to a Bloomberg News report, Rogers called on Jeffries to "spell out" the terms of a deal to have Democrats help elect a speaker.
"They put us in this ditch along with eight traitors," Rogers said to Bloomberg, referring to the eight who voted to oust McCarthy as "traitors." "We're still the majority party, we're willing to work with them, but they gotta tell us what they need."
Rogers' plea has caught the attention of many political watchers, given that he chairs the House Armed Services Committee.
His actions have also drawn the ire of some conservatives for not backing the House Republican caucus' nominee, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
It’s outrageous that Jim Jordan has been nominated by the party, has the support of McCarthy and McHenry, and yet Mike Rogers and a few House Republicans would rather work with Democrats. If you’re a House Republican, please vote for Jim Jordan—not Hakeem Jeffries. https://t.co/n7DQFCTNGa
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 14, 2023
Rep. Mike Rogers is actively working with Democrats to strike a deal that would stop Jim Jordan from becoming Speaker of the House.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) October 14, 2023
I think it's high time for Alabamians of the 3rd District to call this guy out.
JIM JORDAN FOR SPEAKER, Mike!
Mike Rogers is a piece of garbage https://t.co/RUYKPO2Etp
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) October 14, 2023
Mike Rogers just picked himself as the target of our new superPAC.
— Onward Social (@onwardsocial) October 15, 2023
Bro you are an embarrassment to Alabama, conservatives and America.
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Iron Mike Tyson pic.twitter.com/PeHJH1Ejhs
.@RepMikeRogersAL says he will NEVER vote #DonaldTrump-endorsed #JimJordanforSpeaker
— Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) October 14, 2023
Is shocks me Mike Rogers SAYS he prefers to work with #Socialist #Democrats to elect #HouseSpeaker than work with America First Republicans
Hopefully Rogers misquotedhttps://t.co/W3orh1gVDB
Mike Rogers personifies what is wrong with many Republicans in DC. https://t.co/5tUbsEeJu4
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) October 14, 2023
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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