Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) described the “perfect storm” awaiting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this month when the House of Representatives reconvenes after its August recess.
“I think there’s a perfect storm brewing in the House in the near future in September,” he told Jen Psaki on MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki on Sunday.
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According to the Colorado Republican, the necessity of passing a continuing resolution to temporarily fund certain government functions while appropriations are sorted out — something several conservative Republican representatives are vehemently opposed to — is the first issue McCarthy will face.
But, Buck noted, “We also have members of the House led by my good friend, [Rep.] Chip Roy (R-TX), who are concerned about policy issues.” He detailed that these members are requesting riders attached to appropriations bills with amendments that address certain issues, such as securing the southern border.
Additionally, McCarthy faces increasing pressure from representatives and Republican voters across the country to initiate an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The speaker has expressed his intention to move forward with an inquiry as Republicans point to new information regarding Hunter Biden’s business dealings that they believe implicates the president.
“You take those three things put together,” said Buck, “and Kevin McCarthy — the speaker has made promises on each of those issues to different groups — and now, it is all coming due at the same time.”
“It is going to be very difficult to pass a continuing resolution with Republican votes — only Republican votes, and so, I think if he reaches across the aisle and gets Democrat votes and goes with a higher number than he has promised before, I think that is the issue, really that I think will cause him problems down the road,” he added, referencing promises McCarthy is understood to have made to Republican representatives regarding spending levels.
When asked by Psaki if he thinks whether McCarthy will remain speaker at the end of the year, Buck said he will.
“I don’t see anybody else that really has risen up and is willing to take on this job,” he said.
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Speaking about the slim Republican House majority, Buck claimed, “You wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy.”
“It is very difficult for him to operate the House in a way that keeps everybody happy,” he explained. I think there will be challenges, but I don’t see anybody stepping up and saying, ‘I will take Kevin’s job.’ So I think that is really what saves Kevin is the lack of enthusiasm on anybody else to do the job.”
